The civilian police, in a joint investigation with the military police, this Wednesday launched Operation Latronis (6), which targets a criminal organization specialized in the theft and counterfeiting of luxury pickup trucks. The criminal group operated in Barra Vella and other cities of Santa Catarina.

The investigation found that the criminal group was responsible for the theft of about 10 luxury pickup trucks during 2022 and 2023, some of which had already been broken into, as well as in other cities in Santa Catarina.

The cars were taken to dismantling factories, where they were tampered with, and then trucks were sent to other neighboring states and countries.

The target of the operation was an organization specializing in the theft of luxury pickup trucks – Photo: Disclosure/ND

In this case, five search and arrest warrants were executed in the city of Barra Vella, as well as one preventive arrest warrant, which was served on Tuesday (5). The police confiscated the equipment, which will be analyzed by the DFRV/DEIC team and the Scientific Police.

0.9 mm ammunition was seized from the home of one of the suspects. He is charged with possession of restricted ammunition.

The operation was supported by the police stations and police of Barra Velha and Balneario Camboriu, as well as the PRF.