Glam Rio gang influencer dubbed the ‘Muse of Crime’ is killed in cartel bust after posting pics with weapons and drugs

A GLAMOROUS Rio de Janeiro gangster influencer known as the “Muse of Crime” has been shot dead in the city’s deadliest-ever police operation.

Penélope — better known as Japinha do CV — was killed by a rifle shot to the face on Tuesday during a confrontation with security forces in the Alemão and Penha favela complexes, strongholds of the Comando Vermelho (Red Command) gang.

Police say the 20-something influencer, who gained social media fame for posting photos with rifles, drugsand military gear, was a trusted figure among the faction’s top bosses.

She allegedly helped guard escape routes and defend drug sales points in the gang’s northern Rio territory.

At the time of her death, Japinha was dressed for combat — in camouflage clothing, a tactical vest, and pouches for rifle magazines.

Her body was found near one of the main entrances to the community after hours of intense gunfire.

Officers said she resisted arrest and opened fire before being fatally shot.

Her death came amid Operation Containment, a massive crackdown involving 2,500 officers from Rio’s Civil and Military Police and special units.

Their objective is to dismantle Comando Vermelho’s infrastructure and stop its territorial expansion.

According to official figures, the raid left 121 people dead, including four police officers.

A further 113 arrests were made, with 33 suspects coming from other Brazilian states.

Authorities hailed the operation as a “success,” while human rights groups and residents condemned what they called a “massacre.”

Images of Penélope’s body, still in her combat vest, spread rapidly on social media before being taken down.

Her Instagram account, which had over 50,000 followers, was deleted after her death.

Penélope had become a symbol of Comando Vermelho’s culture of glamor and violence.

The thug would often post glam snaps with weapons and drugs, building her online persona that earned her nickname “muse of crime”.

Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski confirmed the operation was planned solely by Rio state authorities “without the knowledge of the federal government.”

Meanwhile, UN human rights chief Volker Türk called for an investigation into the “horrific scale” of the killings.

Despite the record death toll, Comando Vermelho’s top leader in the area, Edgard Alves de Andrade, known as Doca da Penha, escaped and remains on the run.

A reward of up to R$100,000 has been offered for information leading to his capture.

Governor Castro’s administration has taken an increasingly hard line against organised crime, but critics say such raids fail to dismantle drug networks.

“What’s different about today’s operation is the magnitude of the victims. These are war numbers,” said public safety expert Luis Flávio Sapori.

Activists accused the government of turning Rio’s poor neighborhoods into war zones.

“This is not a public safety policy. It’s a policy of extermination,” said the Marielle Franco Institute.

The clashes came just days before Rio hosts the C40 World Mayors Summit and Prince William’s Earthshot Prize — global events linked to the upcoming COP30 climate summit in Brazil.