Defense says that Deolane is "absolutely innocent" in investigation into PCC
Deolane Bezerra's defense claimed the influencer's "absolute innocence" after her arrest during Operation Vérnix, held this Thursday (21), in São Paulo. She is being investigated for alleged involvement in a money laundering scheme linked to the PCC (Primeiro Comando da Capital).
"Initially, we emphasize his absolute innocence, as well as that the facts will be duly clarified by the defense at an opportune moment", says the note released to the press.
The lawyers also considered the measures imposed on the influencer to be disproportionate. After being arrested, Deolane had her assets blocked and her cars seized.
The defense also declared that it will demonstrate to the Court that the influencer was only practicing her profession as a lawyer. The quote refers to the amounts she would have received from members of the criminal faction.
On Friday morning (22), Deolane was transferred to the Tupi Paulista Women's Penitentiary, in the interior of São Paulo. Previously, she was in the Sant'Ana Women's Penitentiary, in the north of São Paulo, after having her prison converted to preventive during the custody hearing.
Upon leaving the Police Palace, in the Central region of São Paulo, the lawyer told journalists that "Justice will be done". She is considered the main player in the money laundering investigation that was allegedly involved with the PCC.
"Justice will be done": Deolane speaks for the first time after being arrested
What does the investigation say?
The Civil Police of São Paulo and Gaeco (Special Action Group to Combat Organized Crime) of the MPSP (Public Ministry of São Paulo) revealed a million-dollar financial mechanism used to hide, dissimulate and reinsert into the formal economy values linked to the top leadership of the criminal faction PCC (First Command of the Capital).
Deolane would have close ties - personal and business - with one of the ghost managers of a transport company investigated by the authorities. The lawyer's financial structure would have been used to give the appearance of legality to the faction's illicit resources. In total, she opened 35 shell companies at the same address to launder the money.
Investigation points to Deolane as the PCC's "true cashier" | BEHIND THE SCENES CNN
As a result, the influencer, according to the police, began to occupy a prominent position in the case due to significant financial movements, asset incompatibilities and signs of connection with members of the PCC's core command.
One of the clues collected by investigators came from a cell phone seized from the company's owners, where proof of direct deposits were found to two Deolane accounts. The investigators point out that the transfers took place in a context of "closing accounts" for the PCC, and not as payment for legal legal services.
Read also: Deolane and Marcola: who are the targets of the operation against PCC
Read the defense note in full
"The technical defense of lawyer Dr. Deolane Bezerra Santos comes, with the utmost respect to the institutions of the Justice System and the Democratic Rule of Law, to provide the necessary clarifications about the events that resulted in her preventive arrest on today, 05/21/2026. Initially, we emphasize her most absolute innocence, as well as that the facts will be duly clarified by this defense at an opportune moment. For now, and with due respect, we consider the measures signed against Deolane to be disproportionate, and this defense panel will continue to cooperate technically with the Court to demonstrate the lawfulness of its activities as a lawyer, fully trusting in the discernment, reasonableness and impartiality of the Judiciary."
Influencer Deolane Bezerra is arrested in an operation against the PCC in SP
Source: CNN