Key facts
- Brazilian police arrested nine individuals in a transnational probe.
- The suspects are accused of trafficking approximately 6.5 metric tons of cocaine.
- Billions of Brazilian reals are suspected to have been laundered.
- Crypto-enabled illicit money brokers were among the methods used for laundering.
- Charges include transnational criminal organization, international drug trafficking, and money laundering.
Brazilian Federal Police have arrested nine individuals suspected of belonging to an international drug cartel that allegedly trafficked approximately 6.5 metric tons of cocaine and laundered billions of Brazilian reals. The illicit proceeds were reportedly moved through various asset-concealment methods, including shell companies, crypto-enabled illicit money brokers, luxury assets, and real estate. The operation involved law enforcement actions across São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Santa Catarina, and Espírito Santo, with the execution of 13 pretrial detention warrants and 44 search-and-seizure warrants. The suspects will face charges related to transnational criminal organization, international drug trafficking, and money laundering.