Erismar Rodrigues Moreira

Erismar Rodrigues Moreira (d. October 29th 2005), also known as Bem-Te-Vi was a gang leader in the Brazilian slum Rocinha, in Rio De Janeiro.

Moreira's family moved to Rocinha looking for work. His father then left Moreira's mother and children, traveling south. Moreira joined his first gang, Comando Vermelho (Red Command), at age 14. He stayed with Commando Vermelho until early 2004, when he switched allegiances to Amigos dos Amigos (Friends of Friends), which then quickly took control of Rocinha.

In April 2004 Luciano Barbosa, the Amigos dos Amigos boss, was killed by police, and Moreira took his place, controlling cocaine-packing and selling. He gained the nickname Bem-Te-Vi. Moreira was known for his extravagant lifestyle. He often carried around guns needlessly and had several girlfriends. His band and himself had several gold plated pistols and assault rifles. His large gang had a complete hierarchy of various layers including bodyguards, security guards, contention keepers, soldiers, pushers, and watchguards. Always very ruthless, anyone crossing certain understood laws of the shantytowns or most certainly an undercover policeman caught by this gang would be brought to end by one choice from a number of possible gruesome deaths. The parallel power that dominates the favelas brings cops to one particularly popular execution within the underworld's street justice called the "micro-ondas" (micro-wave), which carbonises a body inside a flaming, gas-soaked stand of tires. He allegedly had connections with prominent Brazilian soccer players (for example Júlio César of Inter Milan), musicians and actors [http://veja.abril.com.br/310805/p_092.html] . Moreira also gained the respect of the Rocinha populace by hosting expensive parties and defending the community.Moreira was killed by Police early in the morning of October 29th 2005.

External links

* [http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411749/623206| Rio drug lord killed in slum shootout]