44 Pounds of Gold Found at House of Brazilian Drug Dealer

Antonio Hilario Ferreira, a Brazilian drug kingpin better known as "Rabies", has been serving time in prison for drug trafficking since 2008, but authorities are only just now beginning to understand the scope of his operations. 

Yesterday, Brazilian police announced the discovery of 20 kilos of gold (approximately 44 pounds) buried underneath a house owned by Ferreira. The value of the gold totals more than $800,000. 

Last month, three barrels containing $1.7 million dollars in cash were found in wooded areas of the favelas Mangueira and Salguiero. 

Brazilian Federal Police conducted a special operation against drug gangs in the Manguierra favela in Rio de Janeiro and the Sao Gonzalo favela of Salgueiro. During the raid agents seized more than 40 kilos of cocaine, 50 tablets of marijuana, a handgun, and also made four arrests. 

The gold was found under the floor of a balcony and a bedroom of the house in the Waterfall Alegre neighborhood. The property was listed under the name of a relative of Rabies. 

Gilberto Braga, an economics professor at the Brazilian Institute of Capital Markets said, "Apparently, Rabies is a smart criminal, well advised, who knows very well to protect themselves from financial market volatility. Gold is today what economists define as intrinsic concept of reserve. With many falling stock and currency instability on the eve of elections, investing money in metal is one of the safest investments. Even with possible fluctuations in price, gold has always maintained its value." via google translate. 

Ferreira has been spending his days in the penitentiary in Gericino but authorities believe that despite his incarceration, he has been able to continue operations from inside the prison.