Federal highway police seized just over R$1 million in cash when searching a vehicle during a routine operation on BR-050, near Uberaba (MG). According to the PRF, the amount was hidden in an isolated compartment, installed behind the back seat of a Renault Logan with Uberaba license plate.
In addition to just over R$900,000 in cash, there was about US$40,000 (the equivalent of approximately R$212,000) hidden inside the car. Conducted to testify at the Federal Police (PF) station in Uberaba, the driver limited himself to informing that he works as an app driver and had departed Uberlândia (MG), bound for Uberaba.
Although he did not provide further details on the origin and destination of the money, the driver of the vehicle was released shortly after giving evidence. According to the PF, the man – whose name was not disclosed – will be investigated and all the money seized will be deposited in a bank account linked to the judicial process, being available to the Justice.
In less than a month, this is the second million-dollar seizure that the PRF makes when inspecting vehicles traveling on federal highways. On the 11th, federal highway police seized just over R$2.50 million found in cardboard boxes inside a Corolla with a Federal District plate. The agents stopped the car near Ulianópolis (PA), also during routine inspection. The driver was released after giving a statement, the money seized and the case is being investigated.
In addition to the large cash seizures, the PRF has been registering almost daily occurrences involving smaller amounts. Yesterday (28), in Humaitá (AM), agents seized R$ 24 thousand that were being transported by the driver of a truck, approached while passing through a residential neighborhood of the city. According to the PRF, upon receiving the order to park the car, the driver tried to flee with the vehicle, but was overtaken and forced to stop. As in the other two cases, the man did not provide consistent explanations about the origin of the money.
Also on Friday, federal highway police seized around R$315,000 – part of the amount, in euros. The seizure took place on BR 116 and led to the initiation of an investigation on suspicion of electoral crime, as the driver of the vehicle in which the money was found was unable to prove the origin of the amount.
Operation Elections
The road approaches are part of the so-called Operation Elections 2022, which takes place throughout the national territory. Launched on September 28, the joint initiative of the PRF with other public security bodies was divided into two phases: the first ended the day after (3) the first round of the general elections. The second runs until next Monday (31) and aims to, among other things, combat electoral crimes such as vote buying and irregular transport of voters, in addition to strengthening surveillance to ensure the safety of vehicle traffic. on federal highways.
When participating, yesterday(28), in Brasília, in a press conference about the organization and the results achieved with the operation, the Minister of Justice and Public Security, Anderson Torres, informed that, since the beginning, PRF and PF have already apprehended more than BRL 10 million in cash that would likely be used to finance electoral crimes.
