The Amazonas Public Prosecutor's Office launched "Operation Sentinel Major" this Tuesday (05/12), transferring 71 military police officers in custody from the old Military Police Prison Nucleus (NPPM) to the new Military Police Prison Unit of Amazonas (UPPM-AM). The operation lasted about 6 hours, with support from 180 specialized forces personnel and three buses, according to MPAM. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"o Ministério Público do Amazonas (MPAM) deflagrou, nesta terça-feira (12/05), a segunda fase, intitulada Sentinela Maior, com a transferência de 71 custodiados do antigo Núcleo Prisional da Polícia Militar (NPPM), situado na zona norte de Manaus, para a nova Unidade Prisional da Polícia Militar do Amazonas (UPPM-AM)."
"As negociações para transferência duraram cerca de seis horas, com o apoio de 180 homens, forças especializadas de policiamento e três ônibus."
The transfer stems from a Conduct Adjustment Agreement signed between Seap, PMAM and MPAM after the escape of 23 prisoners in February 2026, which highlighted the need for structural and administrative measures to reinforce security. The new unit is installed in the building of the former Women's Education and Training Center, next to the Anísio Jobim Penitentiary Complex, on BR-174, with initial capacity for 72 inmates. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"A iniciativa decorre de termo de ajustamento de conduta (TAC) firmado entre a Secretaria de Administração Penitenciária (Seap), Polícia Militar do Amazonas (PMAM) e MPAM, após a saída de 23 presos da antiga unidade prisional, em fevereiro deste ano — ocasião que evidenciou a necessidade de adoção de medidas estruturais e administrativas para reforço da segurança e reorganização do sistema de custódia militar."
"As novas dependências estão instaladas no prédio onde funcionava o Centro Feminino de Educação e Capacitação (Cefec), ao lado do Complexo Penitenciário Anísio Jobim (Compaj), na BR-174."
Among those transferred are 3rd sergeant Belmiro Wellington Costa Xavier and soldier Hudson Marcelo Vilela de Campos, accused of qualified homicide in the death of Carlos André de Almeida Cardoso, 19, in the Alvorada neighborhood, and corporal Cássio Rodrigo Dias Pinto, detained for running over and killing two dogs in the Novo Aleixo neighborhood. The operation encountered resistance from the inmates, who alleged they had not received documents proving the transfer, according to lawyer Henrique Vasconcelos. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"A Justiça do Amazonas decretou, nesta quarta-feira (22), a prisão preventiva do 3° sargento Belmiro Wellington Costa Xavier e do soldado Hudson Marcelo Vilela de Campos"
"Eles estão se recusando a sair porque não foi apresentado nenhum tipo de documento informando o real motivo da transferência"
The operation was launched as the second phase of Operation Sentinel after the escape of 23 prisoners in February 2026
The new unit operates in the former Cefec building, next to Compaj on BR-174
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (2)
Conflicting versions (1)
Exact number of transferred inmates
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Why were only enlisted personnel transferred, while officers remained outside the measure?
Why it's still unknown: Lawyer Henrique Vasconcelos questioned this differentiation, but neither MPAM nor PMAM explained the selection criteria
Did not cover: Mpam Official Press Release -
What is the current status of the 17 inmates who remained fugitives after the February escape?
Why it's still unknown: Coverage mentions that 4 returned, but there is no information about the others or about recapture operations
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What were the costs of the operation and adaptation of the new prison unit?
Why it's still unknown: No source disclosed information about the budget for the transfer or the adaptation works of the former Cefec