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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Tom Phillips in Rio de Janeiro

Christ and cocaine: Rio’s gangs of God blend faith and violence

A heavily armed drug trafficker stands near a mural that reads ‘God's in control’ in one Rio favela
A heavily armed drug trafficker stands near a mural that reads ‘God's in control’ in one Rio favela Photograph: Alan Lima/The Guardian

“Pastor, do you think we could hold a service at my house next Thursday?” the peroxide-haired gangster wondered, cradling an AK-47 in his lap as he took a seat beside the man of God.

A few months earlier, the 23-year-old had bought his first home with the fruits of his illegal work as a footsoldier for one of Rio de Janeiro’s drug factions. Now, he wanted to give thanks for the blessings he believed he had received from above.

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