Federal Police dismantles Italian mafia money laundering scheme in Brazil

The Federal Police, in a joint action with the Federal Public Ministry, is carrying out this Tuesday morning (13) a preventive arrest warrant and five search and seizure warrants in three Brazilian states.against suspects linked to a money laundering scheme operated by the Italian mafia in Rio Grande do Norte.

According to authorities, the Italian mafia used shell companies and front companies to move and hide illicit money from international illegal activities.

In total, around R$300 million (around 55 million euros) were injected into Brazil. The amount was used to purchase properties and enter the Brazilian real estate and financial market.

The operation also has international support from the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Guardia di Finanza of Palermo, Italy. At the same time, the Palermo District Anti-Mafia Directorate is also coordinating, this Tuesday (13), 21 searches in several regions of Italy and Switzerland, with links to the organized group operating in Brazil.

Around 100 Italian financial agents were mobilized for the action taking place in Brazil and abroad.

Seeking to completely dismantle the scheme, the Federal Court also authorized the seizure of properties and the blocking of bank accounts associated with the suspects and the shell companies involved.

Dubbed “Operation Arancia,” the warrants are being served in Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, and Piauí. The crimes under investigation include mafia association, extortion, money laundering, and fraudulent transfer of funds, with the added burden of supporting mafia families.

Investigations into the presence of the Italian mafia in Rio Grande do Norte began in 2022, a state where those involved in the criminal scheme have been operating for almost a decade.

*Under supervision of Bruno Laforé

Source: CNN Brasil

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