PCC chief arrested in Bolivia is transferred to Mato Grosso do Sul
The PF (Federal Police) transfers, this Wednesday (27), drug trafficker Gerson Palermo, head of the PCC (First Command of the Capital), from Bolivia to Mato Grosso do Sul. The man is expected to arrive on Brazilian soil around 6pm this Wednesday.
Palermo was arrested this Tuesday morning (26), in Bolivia. He had been on the run since 2020, when he received the benefit of house arrest with the use of an electronic ankle bracelet, but fled.
From the moment of his arrest, the PF had already started trying to bring the drug trafficker to Brazil, however, protests in the Bolivian country began to create a logistical impasse for Brazilian security forces, complicating the Gerson transfer process.
This Tuesday, the Federal Police concluded the investigation aimed at the escape of the drug dealer with alleged links to judge Divoncir Maran, from Mato Grosso do Sul, and reported the case to the STJ (Superior Court of Justice).
The magistrate is cited in suspicions of passive corruption, money laundering and criminal organization.
Remember the case
Maran granted a request for the release of drug dealer Gerson Palermo, in 2020, from the federal prison in Campo Grande (MS). On the same day, after receiving the benefit of house arrest with an ankle bracelet, he broke the equipment and fled.
He was sentenced to almost 126 years in prison and is appointed as one of the heads of the PCC (First Command of the Capital). In August 2000, Palermo participated in the hijacking of the former Vasp Boeing 727.
Protests in Bolivia halt deportation of PCC chief | CNN NEW DAY
The plane left Foz do Iguaçu International Airport bound for Curitiba and was hijacked about 20 minutes after takeoff. The plane was forced to land in Porecatu (PR), when the group stole bags from Banco do Brasil, containing around R$5.5 million. Palermo was sentenced to 66 years and 9 months in prison.
In March 2017, the Federal Police launched Operation All In against an international drug trafficking scheme and Palermo was named as one of the leaders of the group.
Read also: Who is Palermo, head of the PCC who hijacked a plane and is sentenced to 126 years
According to the investigation, the cocaine left Bolivia on planes to Corumbá (MS) and was then taken in trucks to other states, following the trafficking route. For trafficking and association for trafficking, Palermo was sentenced to an additional 59 years in prison. In total, the sentences total almost 126 years.
Suspicion over the judge
Even with the convictions, the drug dealer was released by the Mato Grosso do Sul Court of Justice. And messages found on the cell phones of office advisors increase the PF investigation that the sentence was sold. The habeas corpus, with 208 pages, was decided in 40 minutes.
House arrest was granted during the Covid-19 pandemic. At the time, the judge authorized the prisoner to serve his sentence at home, citing health problems. According to the CNJ (National Council of Justice), however, there was no medical report to prove the alleged condition.
Judge is punished by CNJ after releasing PCC chief sentenced to 126 years | CNN NEW DAY
"This HC will come in, boss asked to provide", says a message found by the PF. In another, an advisor says: "it was the judge's decision."
The case was analyzed in a Disciplinary Administrative Process (PAD) and the judge received the punishment of compulsory retirement from the CNJ in March this year.
The STF (Federal Supreme Court) rules this week on the end of compulsory retirement for magistrates. It will be this Tuesday (26), analyzed by the First Panel of the Court. In March, Dino decided that compulsory retirement as a "punishment" for magistrates no longer exists and that serious infractions by these public servants should be punished with loss of office.
The space remains open for demonstrations in support of the judge.
Source: CNN