Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil 🇧🇷: Gang producing 3D printed submachine guns busted

On Friday last week, the Civil Police raided a house in Novo Hamburgo, finding a manufacturing site for 3D printed FGC-9 submachine guns. A male and female were arrested at the production site.

This raid was launched simultaneously when two suspects in a vehicle, posing as a ride share driver and passenger, were intercepted on the way to sell one of these weapons to a criminal gang. An additional FGC-9 and two loaded magazines were recovered at the scene.

At the manufacturing site, a total of seven FGC-9s were recovered as well as several Glock pistol frames, various magazines, ammunition and other components.

The proliferation of 3D printed weapons in Brazilian criminal circles has rocketed in the last two years. The FGC-9 (Fuck Gun Control), which is a well established design, is a particular favourite. 3D printed weapons offer a cheaper alternative, where rifles cost thousands of dollars on the black market.

M249 Para used by Fuerzas Especiales de Isidro (FEDI) sicarios in Sinaloa

Looking at the ammunition, they are utilising tracer rounds (red tipped) in a 4:1 ratio of regular ball rounds to tracers, which is standard practice for machine gunners in the military.

Tracer rounds are visible to the gunner, allowing them to quickly adjust when firing.

This is a tactic that has also been adopted by cartels over the years. Footage of tracer rounds flying during cartel firefights is often seen.

Uma ação do BOPE de Santa Catarina resultou na apreensão de 90 kg de drogas (70kg de maconha e 20kg de cocaína), além de 4 fuzis e 600 munições.

O material pertencia ao Primeiro Grupo Catarinense (PGC).

A ação ocorreu no Morro do Gato, em Palhoça, na Grande Florianópolis.

Segundo informações, a aliança entra a facção paraense Comando Classe A (CCA) e PCC foi quebrada no estado do Pará.

Em um vídeo que circula nas redes sociais, integrantes do CCA ameaçam rivais na localidade Folha 1, em Marabá, no sudeste do Pará.

A mesma arma, uma FGC-9, foi apreendida por policiais militares após uma ação contra os faccionados. Um indivíduo foi morto na ação.

CJNG sicario with an improvised drone drop munition 💣

Shown here is a CJNG sicario, armed with an AK pattern rifle and holding an improvised drone drop munition. Interestingly, he is wearing Mexican Air Force pixelated blue camo.

The munition is of a pretty typical design, a metal body with stabilising fins to smoothen the munition’s descent. The metal chain is to attach the munition to a delivery mechanism, after which the explosion will be initiated via the impact fuze.

As the prevalence of cartel drone warfare spreads, we are seeing a wide range of designs for improvised munitions, with some signature styles emerging. There are regular seizures of these munitions, dozens at at a time, across Mexico.

Colombia 🇨🇴: Clashes between the Clan del Golfo and ACSN

The last few days have seen escalating clashes in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range, between the Clan del Golfo (AGC) and the Autodefensas Conquistadores de la Sierra Nevada (ACSN).

All four videos here appear to be filmed by members of the ACSN, based on their gear/clothing and speech.

Slide 1 shows the detonation of an improvised mortar, known locally as “Tatucos”, followed by some spray and pray with a Galil rifle.

Slide 2 shows some technical difficulties as another ACSN member fires an M60 machine gun, with his buddy trying to combine an extra belt of ammunition.

Slide 3 shows an ACSN member firing a burst from another Galil which also has a stoppage, seems to be a common theme here.

The clashes are fuelled by territorial disputes and have displaced locals. Indigenous communities have been caught in the crossfire, with civilians being injured.

Videos from @JACOBOSOLANOC on twitter/X

ACSN put out a communiqué yesterday, urging for establishment of a humanitarian corridor and medical assistance.