"Peixão" resort is at the center of investigation against deputy in Rio
The so-called "Trafficking Resort", the mansion attributed to drug trafficker Álvaro Malaquias Santa Rosa, known as Peixão, is at the center of the investigation that led the Public Ministry of the State of Rio de Janeiro to carry out an operation against state deputy Val Ceasa (PRD) and former councilor Ulisses Marins (União Brasil), this Thursday (18).
According to the Attorney General of Justice, Antonio José Campos Moreira, the investigation seeks to clarify the alleged involvement of the two political agents with the criminal faction TCP (Terceiro Comando Puro).
"Today's searches, authorized by the Court of Justice of the State of Rio de Janeiro, are the result of an investigation carried out by the office of the Attorney General of Justice in conjunction with the State's Civil Police. Investigations that aim to clarify the involvement of a state parliamentarian and former councilor of the Rio de Janeiro City Council with the criminal organization known as Third Pure Command", he stated.
According to Moreira, the investigation began after an alleged attempt to interfere in the demolition of properties used by the criminal faction.
"This investigation began with the intervention of this state parliamentarian and the then councilor with the aim of preventing, obstructing, the demolition of properties, even known as Resort do Peixão, used by members of this criminal organization", he said.
The luxury house was located in Complexo de Israel, in the North of Rio de Janeiro, and became known as the "Trafficking Resort" because it served as a stage for parties and meetings of TCP members.
The property was built irregularly in an environmental preservation area and had an artificial lake, equipped gym and other leisure facilities. In an operation carried out last year, security forces began demolishing the mansion and seizing equipment found at the site.
Seizures
According to the attorney general, this Thursday's operation (18) resulted in the seizure of weapons, cash and electronic equipment.
"The searches today resulted in the seizure of numerous firearms, around R$340,000 in cash, as well as computer devices," he said.
Among the materials seized are:
- R$ 341 thousand in cash found at Val Ceasa's residence;
- Five firearms;
- Ammunition;
- 11 cell phones;
- Computers;
- Data storage devices.
Also according to Moreira, a new phase of the investigation will analyze the content of the seized equipment.
"In a second step, the data contained in these computer devices will be extracted and examined. All with the aim of clarifying the participation of this parliamentarian and a former parliamentarian in the criminal organization Third Comando Puro", he stated.
During the investigation, Michael Jhonny Vianna de Azevedo, former parliamentary advisor and RioLuz employee, was arrested. Suelen Silva dos Reis was also detained. According to authorities, both had firearms.
Criticism of the advance of crime in politics
When commenting on the operation, the attorney general classified the signs of rapprochement between criminal organizations and political agents as worrying.
"These facts are of great concern to the Public Ministry of the State of Rio de Janeiro because they reveal a degradation that is becoming public in the political environment", he stated.
Moreira also cited a previous investigation involving another parliamentarian accused of links to a criminal faction and said that democracy depends on strong institutions.
"It cannot be accepted that parliament is occupied by figures of this type", he declared.
What Val Ceasa says
In conversation with CNN Brasil, deputy Val Ceasa denied any relationship with the Peixão property and stated that his work in the region aimed to defend the creation of an Olympic village for the community's residents after the structure's demolition.
"I went to Eduardo Paes and said: 'let's make that place an Olympic village'. It hasn't been done yet, but he promised me to build an Olympic village to serve the most humble," he said.
The parliamentarian also classified the investigation as political persecution. "Because we work as a community, we suffer this political persecution from opponents. And when the investigation is serious, you will see that I will emerge as a hero", he declared.
What the City Hall says
In a note sent to CNN Brasil, the City of Rio stated that the investigation originated from a complaint made by the municipality itself about attempts to interfere in the demolition of the irregular construction.
"Rio City Hall fulfilled its duty by reporting to the Public Prosecutor's Office the attempted interference in the demolition of an irregular construction built by criminals in the Vigário Geral region, which is also the basis for the investigation and precautionary measures for the operation", he informed.
The municipal administration added that, at the time, Mayor Eduardo Paes received requests for works from representatives of different political currents, but decided not to move forward with any project for the area due to the ongoing investigation.
The city hall also informed that Michael Jhonny Vianna de Azevedo will be dismissed from RioLuz. According to the municipal administration, he was appointed on February 4, 2025 and, at the time, there was no impediment identified by the Municipal Integrity Secretariat.
CNN Brasil tries to locate the defenses of Ulisses Marins, Michael Jhonny Vianna de Azevedo and Suelen Silva dos Reis. The space remains open for demonstrations.
Source: CNN