Nem da Rocinha

Lopes was born in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro. His parents moved from Paraíba, a state in northeast Brazil to escape the local poverty. Before he became involved in drug trafficking, Lopes worked as a delivery boy for a magazine company.[2]

Lopes became an enforcer and security guard for the leader of Amigos dos Amigos, Erismar Rodrigues Moreira, also known as "'Bem-Te-Vi'".

When Moreira was killed in 2005, Lopes murdered Moreira's successor, Orlando Jose Rodrigues, and seized power as the new leader in 2007.[3] Under his reign over Rocinha, Lopes had 120 armed hitmen and was responsible for more than 60% of consumed cocaine in Rio.[4] He had connections with Bolivian cocaine dealers and brought 200 kilograms of cocaine from Bolivia per month.[5] Lopes lived in a luxurious 3-storey mansion in Rio and earned a reputation for his parties and relationships with many celebrities.

On 10 November 2011, police arrested Lopes, who was hiding inside a Toyota Corolla, heading out of Rocinha.[6] Lopes attempted to bribe the police $570,000 but they refused, while the driver claimed diplomatic immunity.[7] Lopes was sentenced to 12 years in a maximum-security prison for drug charges. Following his arrest, Rocinha was occupied by a Pacifying Police Unit.[8]

Journalist and historian Misha Glenny has written the biography of Lopes, Nem: The Hunt for Brazil's Most Wanted Criminal. It was based on 28 hours of interviews with Lopes in prison, and was published by Bodley Head in 2015.[1]