A Brazilian megastar who sang about a gangster lifestyle and praised one of the country’s most powerful criminal organizations has been arrested for his alleged links to the very same gang, ‘Comando Vermelho’.
MC Poze do Rozo, whose Instagram is filled photos of his lavish life and famous friends like Brazilian football hero Neymar, is being investigated for his role in allegedly inciting violence and drug trafficking, according to the Rio de Janeiro Civil Police.
Narcotic agents served a temporary arrest warrant at the 26-year-old funk artist’s luxury condominium in Recreio dos Bandeirantes, a neighborhood located in the west side of Rio de Janeiro.
Mc Poze do Rozo, whose real name is Marlon Silva, has previously admitted to selling drugs from 2015 to 2016 but argued that he was being unfairly being targeted.
‘This is persecution, you idiot,’ he said as he was being transported to jail. ‘You cheeky guy, this is persecution. It’s evidence, but there’s no proof of anything. Tell them to prove it’.
The Rio de Janeiro Civil Police began investigating Mc Poze do Rozo on May 15 following the filming of his show in the notorious Cidade de Deus slum, where several alleged members of the Comando Vermelho were seen holding rifles.
Mc Poze do Rozo, who has 5.7 million monthly listeners on Spotify and one song that with 126 million streams, sang several tracks that glorified the Comando Velhelmo at the show.
‘The Civil Police reinforces that the lyrics go beyond the constitutional limits of freedom of expression and artistic expression, constituting serious crimes of apology for crime and association with drug trafficking,’ the police said.
‘Investigations continue to identify others involved and the direct financiers of the criminal events.’
At least five songs reviewed by Brazilian news outlet Correio 24 Horas contained lyrics that paid homage to the Comando Vermelho and glorified criminal doings.
In the song ‘Na CDD Só Tem Bandido Faixa Preta,’ Mc Poze do Rozo claims that it’s time for the Comando Vermelho to regain possession of turf that was taken over by rival criminal groups.
‘We have Glock, we have AK, 62 with laser sight, Terror of the Germans , it’s the kids from 13,’ he raps. ‘We’re going to go back home and put the bullet to eat. Retake what’s ours and shout: It’s the CV!’
In ‘Tropa do General,’ the funk star mentions the Comando Vermelho’s beef with rival gangs while alluding to the use of weapons.
‘Respect the CV that only has angry bandits, only war minors that kick ass,’ he rhymes. ‘We are the terror of the Third, ADA and the snot.’
The investigation into Mc Poze do Rozo also alleges he performed only in areas where the Comando Vermelho has a stronghold with the presence of the criminal network’s heavily armed henchmen, who ensure security for the artist and the show.
Authorities claim that because of the concerts, the notorious criminal organization has been able ‘to increase their profits from the sale of narcotics, using the resources to purchase more drugs, firearms and other equipment necessary to commit crimes.’
However, Mc Poze do Rozo’s representatives released a statement rejecting the Rio de Janeiro Civil Police’s criminal allegations.
‘Today, Poze was surprised with a temporary arrest warrant and a search and seizure at his home,’ the statement said. ‘The accusation of association with trafficking and apology for crime makes little sense. Poze is an artist who succeeded in life through his music.
‘Many musicians, actors, and directors have artistic pieces that depict situations that would be crimes, but they are never prosecuted because they are clearly works of fiction.
‘Poze’s arrest, or that of any MC in this context, is nothing more than the criminalization of peripheral art, persecution, and yet another episode of racism and institutional prejudice, in the most absurd way, that Poze was led to, and this is the greatest proof of that.’
Poze drew the attention of the police in November 2023 when he and his wife were probed for promoting illegal raffles on social media.
Authorities seized his luxury fleet of vehicles and other personal belongings, including jewelry, but a court judge ruled in April that his assets had to be returned because they were not linked to the criminal investigation.
Poze responded to the judge’s decision with a social media post in which he wrote: ‘I just want what is mine, and what God generously gives me.’