The Federal Police (PF) launched this Tuesday (17) an operation to dismantle an international drug trafficking scheme that would have generated more than R$2 billion in approximately two years. 32 warrants were served, 19 for arrest and 13 for search and seizure, in addition to blocking the accounts of 38 people being investigated and canceling the activities of seven companies.
In a statement, the PF reported that a request was also made for the inclusion of an Interpol red alert against one of the suspects. The warrants were issued by the 10th Criminal Court of the Federal Court, in the Federal District, and are served in Goiás, Minas Gerais, Amazonas, Bahia and the Federal District.
According to the PF, investigations began in April 2023, with the seizure of 1.5 tons of drugs and five rifles by the Civil Police of Amazonas. The drug would be destined for the Federal District. “Since then, the PF has already launched three operations with the aim of identifying those involved and came across a complex network of shell companies.”
The group, according to the corporation, would move resources with remittances including to Colombia, where one of the suspects resides, to pay for the drugs. “The police investigation indicates more than R$2.2 billion in financial transactions by the group in just two years, which demonstrates the magnitude of the criminal operation.”
Suspects
“The investigations managed to map out almost 40 suspects, including financial managers, drug dealers and the group’s agents, in addition to seizing weapons, ammunition, drugs and various luxury goods such as watches and vehicles.”
The PF said there is still evidence of violent crimes against members of the organization itself. “One of the suspects, who would act as a ‘mule’, was reportedly kidnapped and tortured by the ringleader after suspected drug disappearances.”
“Another person under investigation would be one of the leaders of a criminal faction in the Northeast Region, more specifically, in the states of Bahia and Sergipe. The investigations remain ongoing.”
