PF finds millions of reais inside the wall in operation against drug money laundering

A businessman from Curitiba is named head of a criminal organization that laundered money from drug trafficking

In a joint operation between the Federal Police and the Federal Revenue Agency, millions of reais were found hidden inside a false wall in a house. The amount has not yet been accounted for, according to TV Globo, but the estimate is that it exceeds $3 million – or R$ 14.8 millionin the current conversion.

The operation was called “Follow the Money” and was based in Paraná. The residence where the notes were found is believed to be in the Barigui neighborhood, an exclusive region of Curitiba.

According to the IRS, a businessman from the capital of Paranálinked to the transport, construction and heavy machinery rental sectors appointed head of the criminal organization. He, whose identity was not disclosed, had already been arrested for international drug trafficking and had used false documents to avoid attracting attention.

During the investigation, federal agencies identified two additional cocaine shipments linked to the criminal group, totaling 1.5 tons of the drug.

How the scheme worked

• According to the IRS, the group’s top businessman used dozens of people and companies. In the name of these oranges, some luxury vehicles were purchased by him.
• The properties for own use were purchased in the name of a real estate agency and a holding company, responsible for the purchase of at least three luxury residential properties in Curitiba.
• With the help of an accountant linked to criminals, companies in the name of the head of this organization submitted income declarations to the Federal Revenue Agency, even without providing any kind of services or without any registration of sales of goods.

In one of these companies, more than R$8 million was spent on the purchase of heavy machinery for rental and provision of services, but apparently no service was provided. The IRS called the arrangement a “sophisticated money laundering scheme.”

• The group compensated invoices (bank charges) paid by companies also linked to the organization and suspected of being used exclusively to move illicit resources.

In another company linked to the “sports activities” sector and in the name of the entrepreneur’s partner, values ​​were declared that the investigations believe to be false, relating to the provision of services only to justify and give the appearance of legality to the personal expenses and expenses of the spouses who in fact supported themselves with resources deriving from criminal activities.

Only in the last two years have investigations ascertained the availability of approximately R$ 18 million for personal expenses and the acquisition of goods and vehicles whose legal origin is unknown.

Research

The PF and RF executed 33 search and seizure warrants and two temporary arrest warrants. In addition to Curitiba, warrants were served in Piraquara, Tijucas do Sul, Pontal do Sul, Santo Antônio do Sudoeste, Londrina and Loanda, all in Paraná. Outside the state, warrants were served in Camboriu, Balneário Camboriú, Barra Velha and Itapoá, these in Santa Catarina, as well as Barroquinha, in Ceará.

Source: Terra

Rose

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