Rota completes 56 years: 2,100 arrests and 7.7 tonnes of drugs seized in São Paulo
São Paulo's elite police unit celebrates 56 years with impressive results in combating organised crime since 2023. A 30 per cent reduction in cargo robberies marks the period.
Elite PM battalion in São Paulo marks 56 years with offensive against organised crime
The Military Police of São Paulo commemorated, on Thursday (15), the 56 years of the Ostensive Patrols Tobias de Aguiar (Rota). According to reports from agenciasp.sp.gov.br, since the beginning of the current administration in 2023, the unit has arrested 2,100 people, seized 7.7 tonnes of drugs, collected 406 illegal firearms and confiscated R$ 7.9 million in cash.
Of the 2,100 arrests, 1,000 involved fugitives from justice. The battalion currently comprises approximately 500 military police officers specialised in tactical patrols and high-complexity operations.
Historic decline in São Paulo crime
Rota's operations are part of a broader set of security force actions contributing to the state's most recent indicators. Between January and August this year, São Paulo recorded a 30 per cent drop in cargo robberies — the lowest level in 26 years — and a 17 per cent reduction in robberies overall, reaching the lowest level in the historical series.
The anniversary ceremony was held at the headquarters of the 1st Shock Battalion, in the Luz neighbourhood, in the central region of the capital. The Secretary of Public Security, Osvaldo Nico Gonçalves, highlighted the unit's operational role.
"Rota has built a trajectory marked by technical preparation, discipline and the ability to respond to high-complexity incidents. It is an operational reference for the Military Police of São Paulo and serves as a model for other states. This history is built daily by the commitment of its police officers to public security," Gonçalves stated.
From bank patrols to combating organised crime
Rota was created in 1970 to conduct bank patrols and combat robberies of financial institutions. Over the decades, it expanded its mission in line with transformations in São Paulo's crime landscape, a process that also involved modernisation of patrol vehicles, weapons, communication systems and protective equipment.
The battalion operates in an integrated manner with intelligence and investigation bodies, including the Public Ministry and the Integrated Task Force for Combating Organised Crime (FICCO), of the federal government. Since 2023, more than 580 joint operations have been carried out.
The current commander, lieutenant-colonel Antônio Emanuel Andrade e Silva, stressed the significance of leading the troops. "It is not even for the position itself, but for the honour of leading high-level military police officers. It is very gratifying to be at the head of this troop, which I had the privilege of joining in 2009," he declared.
Andrade e Silva also listed the factors that distinguish the unit: rigorous selection, specialised training, continuous training and capacity to respond to high-complexity incidents.
Training exported to other states and countries
In addition to promoting internal courses on specialisation in tactical patrols, combating organised crime and acting as a designated marksman, Rota trains police officers from other Brazilian states and neighbouring countries.
The battalion's history includes participation in major urban emergencies. Rota police officers were involved in the fires at the Andraus and Joelma buildings, in 1972 and 1974 respectively, two of the capital's greatest tragedies, contributing to rescue operations for victims.
19th-century tunnel preserves battalion's memory
Rota's barracks houses an underground museum installed in an old 19th-century tunnel, originally constructed to connect neighbouring barracks and facilitate strategic troop movement. The structure could also serve as an escape route, resupply point and base for military action in situations of conflict.
The tunnel lies beneath the Luz Barracks, headquarters of the 1st Shock Battalion of the PM, designed by architect Ramos de Azevedo. In 2025, the tour route received approximately 4,500 people.
Visits are free of charge and must be scheduled via the e-mail [email protected], with submission of full name, CPF, ID number and date of interest. On the day of the visit, presentation of a photo ID document is mandatory. Children may participate provided they are accompanied by a responsible adult.
Source: Google News BR — São Paulo