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One of Brazil’s most notorious drugs lords has finally been caught - after he was struck down with the Zika virus.

Laio Estevao da Silva, 28, controlled the narcotics trade in the Morro da Mangueira slum in Rio de Janeiro, where he commanded a gang of 300 armed men.

The feared drugs boss, along with his brother Eduardo, are suspected of involvement in dozens of gangland murders as well as bank robberies, kidnappings and other crimes.

Last year he was charged with masterminding a brazen attack on a police base in the slum in May last year when an officer was shot and a police car sprayed with bullets.

Read more:Zika confirmed in UK

An arrest warrant was out for Silva for attempted murder, drugs trafficking, bank robbery and damage to a police vehicle.

But the infamous gangster offered “no resistance” last week when police moved in to arrest him after learning he was bedridden after contracting the Zika virus , according to reports.

(Image: R7)

The kingpin had reportedly tried to contract a private doctor to treat him at his home, but when he couldn’t find any willing to enter the slum he left to get treatment at his girlfriend’s home in the district of Sao Gon alvo, where police arrested him.

Police chief Hilton Alonso said the delibiltating effect of the Zika virus helped police catch the fugitive without him putting up a fight.

He said: “This extremely dangerous individual became ill and had to leave the slum, facilitating the work of the civil police in arresting him without any type of violence or confrontation. He was clearly not himself and offered no resistance at all.

“He was the general manager of the drugs trade in the Morror da Magueira favela as well as being responsible for all the preparation of cocaine for consumption and sale.

“This time the mosquito bit the right person.”

He added that following his arrest Silva was sent Rio’s high-security Bangu prison, where he is receiving medical attention for the Zika infection.