Operation A Tropa: global media covers search at Vasco player's home
International outlets such as Le Parisien, ABC and Goal reported on the police operation against David Corrêa, Vasco striker investigated for drug and weapons trafficking.
International media highlights police operation against Vasco da Gama striker
The police operation targeting David Corrêa, known as DVD, Vasco da Gama striker, generated widespread coverage in the foreign press, as reported by oglobo.globo.com. Newspapers and portals from France, the United States, Argentina and Colombia reported on searches carried out at the player's residence and at the club's training centre in Jacarepaguá.
Sports website Goal described the operation as "coordinated, covering several states, involving around 100 agents" and published that "Brazilian police conducted an operation at the home of an elite football player in a major investigation into drug and weapons trafficking". The French publication Le Parisien highlighted that "Vasco da Gama saw one of its players make headlines for all the wrong reasons" and mentioned the response from the club director, Admar Lopes, who stated that the athlete would continue working normally whilst Vasco cooperates with the authorities.
The American broadcaster ABC reported that "Brazilian police searched the home of Vasco da Gama striker in an investigation into drugs and weapons trafficking" and added that Corrêa played 21 matches for the club in the current Brazilian Championship, scoring three goals — the most recent in a 3–1 victory over Cruzeiro the previous Saturday. In Argentina, Olé classified the episode as "scandal in Brazil: Vasco da Gama player involved in drug and weapons trafficking case". Colombia's El Tiempo, in turn, stated that the operation targeted "renowned football players".
Search and seizure in Barra da Tijuca
On Monday (31st), teams from the Civil Police of Espírito Santo, with support from agents from Rio de Janeiro, were at the condominium where David lives, in Barra da Tijuca, and seized two mobile phones belonging to the striker. The player monitored the searches and subsequently went to Vasco's training centre in Jacarepaguá, where there was also a search and seizure warrant.
In a statement to the Civil Police, David admitted to knowing people in Espírito Santo — the state where he grew up — with connections to the investigation, but denied any involvement in weapons and drug trafficking, according to information gathered by Diogo Dantas's blog. The striker emphasised that, although he is aware of possible suspects in the state, he has no knowledge of crimes committed or of who would be involved in each case.
Club maintains legal support for athlete
Vasco lawyers who had access to the statement assert that David has no implication in the case. The club, however, maintains legal support for the player. The agent André Cury, who currently manages David Corrêa's career, had already denied any involvement of the athlete with crime.
"There's nothing to it. There is no risk for him. David is a professional. To ask for clarification they did not need to send out a search and seizure warrant, to create all this storm", said Cury. The agent also emphasised the humble origins of the player and argued that this does not imply involvement with organised crime.
"It seems they went there to arrest the guys from a faction. The player is born in the periphery, his friends are from there, those who did not become players became what? Normally, 30 per cent of friends end up on the wrong side. The guy did not do f... anything", Cury added.
Operation A Tropa investigates interstate trafficking
Operation A Tropa investigates crimes of interstate drug and weapons trafficking, as well as money laundering. The investigation also examines possible involvement of other professional athletes and businesspeople with the criminal group. The operation was named in reference to the self-designation used by the suspects themselves to designate the group.
Source: Google News BR — Crime