Gang used tattoo studio to launder drug money in RS, says police

The Civil Police of Rio Grande do Sul carried out an operation this Thursday (15) against a gang that, according to investigations, used a tattoo studio as a front to launder money from drug trafficking.

93 arrest warrants and 114 search and seizure warrants are being served in 14 cities in Rio Grande do Sul and two in Santa Catarina. So far, 62 people have been arrested.

According to the police, 22 vehicles were seized, eight of which were considered luxury vehicles. In addition, 17 bank accounts were frozen. Drugs, firearms, cash and cell phones were seized by the police. According to the investigation, the marijuana found came from Paraguay and the cocaine from Bolivia. The ecstasy was manufactured in Santa Catarina.

In Itapema (SC), partially burnt cash was found, possibly from a bank robbery.

Investigations into the group began in October last year. In the first phase of the operation, a man was arrested in flagrante delicto after being identified as one of the regional leaders of the criminal organization.

According to investigations, the suspect acted as a drug delivery man and used a front company, a tattoo studio located in Sapucaia do Sul (RS) to launder money from the gang’s criminal activities.

Some of the suspects were inmates operating from inside the penitentiaries. In addition to drug trafficking and money laundering, they were also allegedly responsible for homicides.

The group had been operating for years in the Vale dos Sinos region of RS, receiving support from members of other criminal organizations. With this practice, the police say, obtained large illicit amounts from drug trafficking and expanded the business.

The action is ongoing to comply with legal measures directly related to members and addresses linked to the gang.