MP dismantles agricultural scheme that laundered R$ 100 million for trafficking

A criminal organization involved in a million-dollar money laundering scheme from drug trafficking was the target, this Tuesday (9), of an operation by the Public Ministry of Rio Grande do Sul.

According to investigations, the concealment of values occurred through the false purchase of cattle and non-existent agricultural activities. Action was known as "paper cattle".

According to the MP, the group would have generated around R$100 million using leased rural properties and fictitious transactions. In total, 35 search and seizure warrants were established, and nine people - one in the act and 8 preventively - were arrested.

The court orders were complied with in Alegrete (12), Quaraí (2), Pelotas (7), Capão do Leão, Itaqui, Canoas and São Leopoldo, in addition to actions in prisons in São Gabriel, Uruguaiana and Cachoeira do Sul, as well as in Palhoça and Joinville, in the state of Santa Catarina.

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In total, 46 cell phones, eight electronic devices (notebooks and other machines), two weapons, two vehicles and around R$37,000 in cash were seized; and a sequestered property. Furthermore, there was a judicial blockade of R$100.7 million linked to the organization.

Gaeco (Special Action to Combat Organized Crime) together with the Military Brigade (BM) and Criminal Police, in partnership with the Consumer Protection Prosecutor's Office of Porto Alegre and the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Sustainable Production and Irrigation (SEAPI/RS), aimed at confronting factions across the country, also assisted in the operation.

Understand the investigation
According to the MP, the investigation was carried out over 10 months and found the presence of around 30 people in the scheme. To launder money from drug trafficking, the group simulated the purchase and sale of cattle and other agricultural-related activities to hide illicit resources.

For this, two rural properties in Alegrete were purchased. "Oranges" were also used to issue invoices and Animal Transit Guides (GTAs), even without proof of any real herd movement.

Police authorities even carried out monitoring using drones in the regions, which, despite the large document movement, confirmed the absence of cattle in the areas investigated.

The scheme called "Gado de Papel" was run by a trafficker called "king of cattle" who is already in prison and operated inside a prison.

According to the agency, he divided the functions between family members and third parties, who were responsible for financial transactions, hiding assets and issuing documents.

In addition to money laundering, mechanisms of misrepresentation, fictitious sales between members and transactions incompatible with declared income were identified.

*Under the supervision of Thiago Félix

Source: CNN