PF dismantles group accused of money laundering from drug trafficking

The Federal Police (PF) launched this Wednesday (12) Operation Match Point, against a criminal organization that, according to investigators, would be “specialized in money laundering from drug trafficking”. The PF reports that 49 search and seizure warrants and 33 preventive arrest warrants are being carried out by 250 police officers in ten federative units. In addition, bank accounts of 43 individuals have already been blocked. Still according to the PF, 57 properties were kidnapped, in addition to “various vehicles and vessels”. It is estimated that the values ​​of these seized assets exceed R$ 150 million. “The criminal organization was divided into two large cells, with branches in several cities in the country, especially in the states of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Rio Grande do Norte”, detailed the PF, in a note. In the first hours of the operation, seven people were arrested in flagrante delicto. About 65 kilos of cocaine and 225 kilos of skunk were seized. The actions have the support of the Federal Highway Police and the Military Police of Santa Catarina. The Match Point operation had the cooperation of Interpol and Europol, since among the leaders of the criminal organization “there is an Icelandic citizen residing in Brazil, previously investigated by the Federal Police and the Icelandic police”, informed the PF. Warrants Of the 33 preventive arrest warrants, 11 are being served in São Paulo; seven in Santa Catarina; six in Rio de Janeiro; five in Minas Gerais; three in Bahia and one in Ceará. Search and seizure warrants are being carried out in nine states: ten in Santa Catarina; 13 in São Paulo; 12 in Rio de Janeiro; six in Minas Gerais; three in Bahia; two in Rio Grande do Norte. In Paraíba, Pernambuco and Goiás, a warrant is being served in each “Among the crimes investigated so far are laundering and concealment of assets, criminal organization and international drug trafficking associated with trafficking. The cumulative penalties for these crimes can reach more than 40 years in prison,” he added.

Agência Brasil