The federal police launched Operation Match Point this Wednesday (12), during which a gang specializing in money laundering and drug trafficking was liquidated. Police are issuing 33 preventive arrest warrants in Santa Catarina and eight other states.

PF runs anti-drug operation in South Carolina and 9 other states – Photo: PF/Disclosure/ND

The organization was divided into two large cells with branches in several cities of the country, especially in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Rio Grande do Norte. Assets seized by the Federal Police may exceed 150 million reais.

Federal Police Regional Delegate in Santa Catarina Nelson Luis Confortin Napp said investigations began with the discovery of a hangar at the Porto Belo airfield, which revealed the gang’s activities in southern Santa Catarina.

“During the investigation, we were able to prove the involvement of two main groups in the operation, one active and dominant in Sao Paulo, and the other active and dominant in Rio de Janeiro. These two organizations are very distinctive because they both sell all kinds of drugs, marijuana, cocaine, synthetic and rakish, both in small quantities and in large quantities, ”he specified.

According to Napp, the criminals sent to Europe small “mules”, that is, people with a small amount of drugs, about 3 kg of cocaine, in addition to exporting in large quantities, both to Uruguay and to Europe, in addition to rakix. Import.

The federal police seized assets worth 150 million reais – Photo: PF/Disclosure/ND

“We made several arrests: we confiscated twice the shipment of cocaine to Uruguay, as well as the importation of naughty people from Uruguay here,” he stressed.

Some 250 federal police officers are executing 49 search and seizure warrants in cities across nine states, including one in Florianopolis. During the investigation, seven arrests were made at the scene of the crime, about 65 kg of cocaine and 225 kg of skunk were seized.

Among the leaders of the organization is an Icelandic citizen living in Brazil, who was previously investigated by the Federal Police and the Icelandic police.

Through Interpol, the Federal Police worked in international cooperation with Italy and Iceland in coordination with the Europol liaison offices. Representatives of the Icelandic police were also granted judicial permission to monitor the start of the operation.

Among the crimes investigated so far are the laundering and concealment of assets, a criminal organization and international drug trafficking associated with illicit trafficking. Cumulative sentences for these crimes can reach over 40 years in prison.

Location of warrants and confiscations

Search and Seizure Warrants: 49 in nine states SC (10) – 10 Florianopolis; SP (13) – 4 Campinas, 3 Limeira, 2 Sao Paulo, 1 Ortolandia, 1 Piracicaba, 1 Sumare, 1 San Pedro; RJ (12) – 8 Rio de Janeiro and 4 Niteroi; MG (6) – 3 Belo Horizonte, 2 Montes Claros and 1 Contagem; BA (3) – 3 Porto Seguro; PB (1) – 1 Volos; PH (2) – 1 Tibau do Sul and 1 Parnamirim; EP (1) – 1 reef; GO (1) – 1 Goiania.

Detention Orders: 33 in six states: SC (7) – SP (11) – RJ (6) – MG (5) – BA (3) – CE (1).