Police arrest PMs and seize swords in operation against loan sharking in AM
The Civil Police of Amazonas (PC-AM) launched, this Wednesday (20), Operation "Mamon's Den", arresting 20 members of two criminal organizations specializing in loan sharking, extortion and money laundering.
The scheme generated at least R$24 million and was behind homicides, torture, kidnappings and false imprisonment against victims who were unable to pay off debts inflated by abusive interest rates.
Among those detained are two military police officers, captured in the state of Santa Catarina. The rest were arrested in Manaus and other states. In total, seven arrests occurred in the capital of Amazonas and 13 outside Amazonas, in simultaneous actions coordinated with the support of police from other states.
"The operational nucleus, the financial nucleus and the mandatory nucleus of these organizations were arrested and will be responsible for a series of crimes."
Bruno Fraga, general delegate of PC-AM
How the scheme worked
The groups worked by lending small amounts at extortionate interest. When victims did not pay within the stipulated deadlines, they were subjected to an organized system of violent demands, which included threats, physical attacks, torture and kidnappings. In extreme cases, debts have resulted in deaths.
The investigations revealed absurd distortions in the amounts charged. Loans of R$150 generated debts of R$45 thousand. In other cases, the debt exceeded R$400,000 without any justification proportional to the original amount borrowed.
"We have cases where R$150 was borrowed that became R$45,000 in debt. It is an extremely unscrupulous form of collection through bodily harm and outright threats."
Fernando Bezerra, delegate of the 20th Integrated Police District
National scope of money laundering
The scheme was not limited to Amazonas. Investigations showed that money laundering reached the states of Paraíba, Roraima and Santa Catarina, exactly where the two PMs were captured. To cover up the origin of the funds, the criminals used seven companies as fronts, whose activities were judicially suspended during the operation.
What was seized
In addition to the 20 arrests, PC-AM carried out 31 search and seizure warrants. 42 vehicles and seven properties were hijacked, in addition to the blocking of bank accounts linked to those under investigation. During the searches, agents collected firearms, swords, computers and cell phones, which will be analyzed to identify possible new targets.
"The investigation doesn't stop there and the second phase comes."
Fernando Bezerra, delegate of the 20th DIP
PMs were already responding to administrative proceedings
The Amazonas Military Police confirmed that the two arrested soldiers were already suspended from police activities and were responding to a previous disciplinary administrative proceeding. The corporation stated that it will await the outcome of the investigations before applying new measures, with the possibility of exclusion from the group.
Source: CNN