This Thursday (5), the Public Ministry of the State of São Paulo, through the Special Action Group to Combat Criminal Organizations (GAECO), launched Operation Bazaar to dismantle a broad police corruption scheme aimed at protecting a criminal organization specialized in money laundering.
The action was carried out in conjunction with the Federal Police, through the Integrated Force to Combat Organized Crime (FICCO), and had the support of the Civil Police Internal Affairs.
According to investigations, the criminal group was made up of money changers, financial operators and people with an extensive history of committing money laundering crimes. The organization acted in a structured manner to guarantee the continuity of illicit activities and avoid holding its members accountable.
According to the Public Ministry, the scheme involved the systematic payment of undue advantages to public agents, in addition to the adoption of strategies such as procedural fraud, manipulation of investigative procedures and destruction of evidence within the scope of police investigations.
The operation aims to dismantle the institutional protection network created by the group and promote criminal liability for those involved.
In total, 25 search and seizure warrants were executed — including in police units —, in addition to 11 arrest warrants and six summons warrants related to precautionary measures other than prison. The court orders were directed at members of the criminal organization, lawyers and civil police officers.
In addition to the legal measures, it was decided, in a joint meeting with the Civil Police Internal Affairs, to carry out extraordinary corrections in all police units involved. The objective is to investigate possible administrative irregularities and promote the disciplinary responsibility of employees who may have participated in the illicit acts.
