Federal Police dismantles group specialized in stealing rare books in Brazil

The Brazilian Federal Police conducted an operation against the theft and sale of rare books and sacred images, executing five search warrants in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. The operation, named "Operação Página Oculta," followed a previous initiative and aimed to recover stolen cultural items and gather evidence against potential recipients and merchants. The president of the Real Gabinete Português de Leitura expressed surprise at the theft attempts but stated no works from their collection were identified as stolen. The operation could lead to charges of theft and criminal association against those involved.