The Civil Police of São Paulo were called to serve 20 arrest warrants and 60 search and seizure warrants against people linked to the Primeiro Comando da Capital, this Tuesday (6), in several cities in the state of São Paulo.
The action was issued by the 2nd Court of Tax Crimes, Criminal Organizations and Money Laundering and Rights of the Capital, with support from the Mogi Narcotics Investigations Unit (DISE). In addition to the warrants, the The courts blocked more than R$8 billion in funds belonging to those under investigation. The police also found indications involving the use of companies for money laundering, in addition to the purchase of support for candidates, in the upcoming municipal elections in Greater São Paulo.
According to police information, the mega-operation started with the arrest of a woman suspected of being responsible for leading and storing around 30 kilos of narcotics for the criminal organization, in the city of Itaquaquecetuba/SP. It was discovered that she is the wife of a member of the PCC leadership, in addition to being responsible for communication between members of the faction, bringing information from inside the prisons to those on the streets.
According to the investigations, other people are being investigated for being part of a complex information network that supports communication between members of the organization. Several channels are used in the scheme, which involves forwarding letters from one prison to another, as well as messages via WhatsApp. The investigations showed that lawyers also acted as a means of communication between members of the organization.
Money laundering scheme and co-optation of public agents
The scheme orchestrated by the PCC involved money laundering, with the aim of transforming money from drug trafficking into legal resources. Police officer Fabricio Intelizano told CNN that the organization used a cryptocurrency brokerage and virtual bank to operate. The company made financial transactions of around R$500 million during the investigations, with checks worth R$55 million being seized at the company’s headquarters in São Paulo.
This company was in the name of a 23-year-old woman, the daughter of a candidate for city council in Mogi das Cruzes. The money laundering also aimed to finance organized crime agents in this year’s municipal elections, launching candidates in several municipalities. Another candidate for city council in Santo André would also be launched in the name of the faction.
A commissioned employee of the city hall of São Bernardo do Campo is also being investigated for involvement with a high-ranking member of the Primeiro Comando da Capital.
Arrests, seizures and fugitives
The police are carrying out precautionary measures against 12 people in the cities of São Paulo (capital), Mogi das Cruzes, Ferraz de Vasconcelos, Itaquaquecetuba, Guarulhos, Santo André, São Caetano do Sul, Mauá, Santos, Praia Grande, Mongaguá, Ubatuba, S. José dos Campos, Sorocaba and Campinas. So far, 12 arrests have been made.
The searches of Operation Decurio have so far resulted in the seizure of 7 luxury vehicles, 3 firearms, ammunition, cell phones and electronic equipment. In cash, approximately R$25,000.00 was seized, in addition to US$4,600.00.
Among the targets not found and considered fugitives are Patric Ueliton Salomão, known as Forjado or Xuxu, indicated as one of the main leaders of the PCC. He is indicated as the mastermind behind attacks against Senator Sergio Moro and Public Prosecutor Lincoln Gakiya. Another fugitive is Décio Gouveia Luis, known as Décio Português, indicated as the successor to Marcola, leader of the PCC.
Source: CNN Brasil
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