Rota marks 56 years: 2,100 arrests and 7.7 tonnes of drugs seized in São Paulo
The elite unit of the São Paulo Military Police celebrates 56 years with significant results in the fight against organised crime since 2023.
Elite Military Police battalion marks half a century of high-complexity operations
The Military Police of São Paulo commemorated the 56th anniversary of the Rondas Ostensivas Tobias de Aguiar (Rota) on Thursday (16th). According to agenciasp.sp.gov.br, since the beginning of the current administration in 2023, the unit has arrested 2,100 people — of whom one thousand were fugitives from justice — seized 7.7 tonnes of drugs and removed 406 illegal firearms from circulation, as well as R$ 7.9 million in cash.
The anniversary ceremony was held at the headquarters of the 1st Shock Battalion, in the Luz district, in the central region of the capital. The Secretary of Public Security, Osvaldo Nico Gonçalves, highlighted the operational role of the unit. "Rota has built a trajectory marked by technical preparation, discipline and the ability to act in high-complexity occurrences. It is an operational reference of the Military Police of São Paulo and serves as a model for other states," he stated.
Historic fall in crime in São Paulo
Rota's operations are part of the set of actions by the state's security forces. In the period from January to August of this year, São Paulo recorded a 30% drop in cargo robberies — the lowest level in 26 years — and a 17% reduction in robberies in general, reaching the lowest level in the historical series.
Since 2023, the battalion has carried out more than 580 joint operations with intelligence and investigation bodies, including the Public Ministry and the Integrated Force for Combating Organised Crime (FICCO), from the federal government.
About 500 specialised police officers
Currently, Rota brings together about 500 military police officers with specialisation in tactical patrolling and high-complexity operations. The current commander of the battalion, lieutenant-colonel Antônio Emanuel Andrade e Silva, highlighted the responsibility of leading the troops. "It is not even for the rank itself, but for the honour of leading high-level military police officers. It is very gratifying to be at the head of this troop, in which I had the privilege of joining in 2009," he said.
According to the commander, rigorous selection, specialised training and continuous training are among the factors that define Rota as an elite unit. The modernisation of vehicles, weapons, communication systems and protective equipment has also accompanied the battalion's evolution over the decades.
From bank patrols to fighting organised crime
Created in 1970 to conduct bank patrols and combat robberies of financial institutions, Rota progressively expanded its area of operations as crime in São Paulo transformed. In addition to internal specialisation courses in tactical patrolling and acting as a designated marksman, the battalion also trains police officers from other Brazilian states and neighbouring countries.
The battalion's trajectory also includes participation in major rescue operations. Members of Rota were involved in the fires at the Andraus and Joelma buildings in 1972 and 1974 respectively, two of the largest urban tragedies in the São Paulo capital.
Underground museum preserves battalion history
Rota's barracks houses a museum installed in an old 19th-century tunnel, located beneath the Luz Barracks, headquarters of the 1st Shock Battalion, designed by architect Ramos de Azevedo. The passage was originally built to connect neighbouring barracks and facilitate the strategic movement of troops, and could also serve as an escape route or resupply point.
In 2025, the space received approximately 4,500 visitors. Visits are free and must be scheduled by email to [email protected], sending full name, tax identification number, identity document number and date of interest. On the day of the visit, it is necessary to present a photo identification document. Children may participate accompanied by a responsible adult.
Source: Google News BR — São Paulo