Residents of Banabuiú, in Brazil’s Ceará state, lined up for mineral water on Tuesday as an emergency distribution effort resumed under police escort. The measure was introduced after water sellers in the town received threats attributed to the Comando Vermelho criminal faction.
Distribution restarted at Praça da Matriz with logistical support from the Ceará Water and Sewerage Company (Cagece). Although deliveries were scheduled to begin at 7 a.m., they started at about 11 a.m. The operation began on Saturday, paused on Sunday and Monday, a holiday, and resumed Tuesday.
Each resident is now entitled to two 20-liter containers, down from three per person on the operation’s first day. According to Banabuiú Mayor Marcílio Coelho, at least 1,000 containers are distributed daily, each sold for 6 reais—the usual price charged by distributors. There is no set end date, and distribution is expected to continue in the coming days.
With home deliveries interrupted, residents must collect the water themselves. Some walk or travel by motorcycle and carry the containers home, causing disruption for people in the town, according to reporting by TV Verdes Mares.
The threats reportedly began on October 19, when sellers received messages demanding that they follow the group’s orders and not sell water without its authorization. Merchants also reported demands for payments, including 200 reais to keep a business open and 750 reais a week to sell containers. Other distributors were reportedly charged 1.50 reais per container sold.
Ceará’s Public Security and Social Defense Secretariat said three men were arrested on October 22. They are accused of collecting money demanded from merchants and remain in custody. No further arrests connected to the case had been reported by the time of TV Verdes Mares’ coverage.
Sources: G1.