Police and MP carry out operation in Rio against companies that launder money for Zinho’s militia

In the early hours of this Wednesday (28), the Civil Police and the Public Ministry of Rio de Janeiro began an operation focusing on companies that launder money for the militia led by Luiz Antonio da Silva Braga, known as Zinho.

In seven years, from 2017 to 2023, the criminal group that explores the west zone of Rio would have generated R$135 million.

Search and seizure warrants are being executed at 21 addresses in the neighborhoods of Barra da Tijuca, Recreio dos Bandeirantes, Campo Grande and Santa Cruz, in the west zone of the capital, in addition to the municipality of Seropédica, in the metropolitan region.

The targets of the investigation are nine individuals and seven legal entities.

The action, called “Cosa Nostra Fraterna”, is carried out by the Police Department to Combat Criminal Organizations and Money Laundering (DCOC-LD) and the Special Action Group to Combat Organized Crime of the Public Ministry (Gaeco/MPRJ), with the aim of dismantling a network created to promote money laundering for the criminal organization.

Civil police officers from the Special Resources Coordination (Core) also participate in the operation. The warrants include the interdiction of companies suspected of involvement with the militia and the blocking of movable and immovable assets.

Zinho surrendered to the Federal Police on the night of December 24, 2023, after negotiations that lasted around a week between the militia member's patrons and the PF and the Public Security Secretariat of the State of Rio de Janeiro.

He remains in prison and gave his first statement to the Court on the 8th.

Financial Intelligence and Asset Recovery Committee Support

This is the first major operation carried out in Rio with the support of the Financial Intelligence and Asset Recovery Committee (Cifra).

This task force – which includes Civil Police agents and representatives from other state and federal bodies and institutions – works to combat financial crimes and money laundering, stifling drug trafficking and militias in Rio de Janeiro.