More than 50 people are arrested in an operation against drug trafficking in the south of the country

This Thursday morning (27), the Civil Police of Rio Grande do Sul launched Operation Leviatã, with the aim of combating criminal organizations focused on drug trafficking and money laundering.

To date, 54 people have been arrested. Furthermore, almost R$6 million was blocked in 37 bank accounts and 18 vehicles, six firearms and drugs were seized.

In total, 85 preventive arrest warrants and 136 search and seizure warrants were issued, which are being carried out in Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and Paraná. 281 court orders were also issued for the three states in the southern region.

The investigation into the criminal group, which is based in Vale dos Sinos, in the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre, began in May 2023, after the seizure of more than a ton of marijuana in a car wash establishment, in Viamão, also in the metropolitan region.

On that occasion, two people were arrested for drug trafficking and association with drug trafficking. With the two prisoners, telephone devices were found that allowed the investigations to continue.

From this, a complex scheme of buying, selling and distributing drugs was discovered throughout the state of Rio Grande do Sul. According to the Civil Police, the group moved almost nine tons of marijuana in two months.

The profit obtained by the faction from the illegal drug trade would exceed R$25 million, according to the investigation.

The drugs – marijuana, cocaine and crack – were supplied to the Rio Grande do Sul group by people from the states of Santa Catarina and Paraná. To elude the Police, the criminals transported the drugs in vehicles that had compartments to hide them. Furthermore, the drug was also hidden inside tires.