Auditor arrested on suspicion of millionaire fuel evasion in Bahia
A state public servant and two other people were preventively arrested this Thursday morning (21), during Operation Khalas, launched by the task force to combat tax evasion in Bahia.
The arrested employee is Olavo José Gouveia Oliva, tax auditor at the Bahia Finance Department. CNN Brasil tries to contact his defense, the space is open.
The group is suspected of being part of a criminal scheme responsible for adulterating more than 111 million liters of fuel since 2023 and causing an estimated loss of R$400 million to public coffers.
During the operation, investigators found R$263,000 in cash in an office linked to the arrested tax auditor. In addition to the arrests, the Court authorized the execution of 13 search and seizure warrants in Salvador, in addition to the cities of Feira de Santana, Camaçari and Candeias.
Dois servidores municipais de Candeias também foram afastados das funções públicas.
The investigations carried out by the Public Ministry of Bahia (MPBA), the Civil Police and the Bahia Finance Secretariat (Sefaz) indicate that the criminal organization operated a corruption scheme involving state and municipal public agents, who received undue advantages to facilitate the group's operations and guarantee protection against inspections.
Also according to the investigation, the scheme used the irregular import of chemical inputs, such as naphtha and solvents, diverted to clandestine fuel mixing units, known in the sector as "mixers". In these places, products were adulterated before being distributed to the market.
Operation Khalas is an offshoot of Operation Primus, carried out in October 2025, and focuses on reaching the financial and operational core of the criminal organization.
The action mobilized eight prosecutors, 26 delegates, around 90 civil police officers, as well as employees from the Public Ministry, Sefaz and police officers from the Independent Financial Police Company (Cipfaz).
The task force responsible for the investigation is also formed by the Special Action Group to Combat Tax Evasion (Gaesf), the Treasury Intelligence and Research Inspectorate (Infip/Sefaz) and the Specialized Center for Combating Economic Crimes and Against the Tax Order (Neccot/Draco).
Source: CNN