As part of yet another anti-money laundering operation to conceal international drug trafficking proceeds, the Federal Police launched Operation BC Laundry on Tuesday morning (11) in Balneario Camboriu, on the north coast of Santa Catarina.

With the support of the Santa Catarina Military Police, six search and seizure warrants were issued for property located in the Balneario Camboriu region, in addition to four preventive arrest warrants. The total amount of assets seized during the action is estimated at about 150 million reais.

As part of the new operation, the Federal Police is executing orders for a complete blockade of assets worth 150 million reais in Balneario Camboriu. Photo: Federal Police/Disclosure

There are also hijacking warrants for a speedboat, eight luxury cars, 41 trucks, ten properties located in Sao Paulo and 19 properties in Santa Catarina, the latter all in Balneario Camboriu and on the northern coast of the state.

The action was initiated after the elements collected during Operation Alba Virus launched by the Federal Police in mid-August 2019 against this international drug trafficking criminal organization that was smuggling cocaine abroad through the ports of Santos (SP), Paranagua ( PR) and Navegantes. (SK).

A criminal gang set up a fake shipping company to launder money from international drug trafficking – Photo: Federal Police/Disclosure

The leaders of the criminal organization, who have been on the run since the start of Operation Alba Virus, were to create a group with the specific purpose of hiding assets and laundering money obtained from human trafficking.

To this end, the explored created transport companies without efficient operation, yet acquiring huge high-value assets on the north coast of Santa Catarina.

Justice determined the theft of 19 elite objects in Balneario Camboriu alone – Federal Police / Disclosure

The total amount of seized assets is 150 million reais – Federal Police / Disclosure

Luxury real estate targeted by the Federal Police in Balneario Camboriu – Federal Police/Disclosure

Tuesday’s operation resulted in the provisional detention of these criminal organization leaders and two others who were acting as real estate brokers. These brokers, in addition to intermediating most of the real estate acquisition entity’s transactions, managed the management of these assets.

Those under investigation will be held responsible for the crime of money laundering and a criminal organization, the cumulative sentence of which can reach 18 years in prison.