Lawyer arrested on suspicion of cocaine trafficking linked to Italian 'Ndrangheta
The Federal Court of Paraná has ordered the preventive detention of Patrick Raasch Cardoso, accused of being part of a trafficking scheme linked to the Italian 'Ndrangheta mafia through the Port of Paranaguá.
Lawyer from São Paulo coast faces preventive detention over alleged 'Ndrangheta links
The Federal Court of Paraná in Curitiba has ordered the preventive detention of lawyer Patrick Raasch Cardoso, a resident of Santos on the São Paulo coast. According to reporting by g1.globo.com, he is being investigated on suspicion of being part of a criminal organisation linked to the Italian 'Ndrangheta mafia, involved in international cocaine trafficking between Brazil and Europe, with distribution mainly through the Port of Paranaguá (PR).
Operational role within the scheme
The Federal Police point out that Cardoso is alleged to have carried out operational functions within the group, managing financial and patrimonial matters. The investigation also attributes to him the maintenance of communications for the alleged organisation following the arrest of Italian national Nicola Assisi and his son Patrick Assisi in 2019. The lawyer is a partner in a law firm which, according to the judicial ruling, acted in the defence of the Assisis.
Lawyer Eugênio Malavasi, responsible for defending Raasch Cardoso, stated he did not yet have information about the decision. Malavasi said his client declares himself innocent and will prove his version during trial proceedings.
Nicola and Patrick Assisi: core of the scheme in Brazil
Nicola and Patrick Assisi are identified by the investigation as members of the nucleus responsible for establishing the trafficking scheme linked to 'Ndrangheta in Brazil. The two were arrested by the Federal Police in Praia Grande (SP) on 8 July 2019 during Operation Retis, in execution of arrest warrants for extradition purposes issued by the Supreme Federal Court (STF) at the request of Italy.
According to the Federal Police, the group is linked to at least 11 seizures carried out between 2019 and 2020, which totalled more than 4.6 tonnes of cocaine destined for Europe. Approximately 2.1 tonnes were intercepted before the arrest of the two Italians. The investigation indicates that the scheme continued operating even after the detentions.
Six other arrests and asset freeze
In addition to Raasch Cardoso, the court ordered the preventive detention of six other people. The same ruling authorised the freezing of assets and funds and the seizure of property belonging to those under investigation.
Those involved may face charges, according to the role attributed to each one, for crimes of international drug trafficking, association for trafficking purposes, organised crime and money laundering, as well as other offences that may be identified in the course of the investigation, according to the Federal Police.
Statement from collaborator in Italy supports accusations
Among the elements cited in the judicial ruling are statements from Vincenzo Pasquino, described as a collaborator in the investigation and former associate of the Assisis. Interviewed by the Federal Police in Italy in April 2025, he provided information about members and functions within the scheme and mentioned Raasch in his accounts.
The investigation also relies on communications analysed by the Federal Police to support the claim that Raasch remained linked to the structure, intermediating contacts and participating in financial and patrimonial matters. The judicial decision found that there was sufficient evidence to authorise the precautionary measures.
In addition to preventive detention, the court authorised a search and seizure at an address linked to Raasch in the Porto da Praia neighbourhood in Santos, as well as the freezing of moveable and immoveable assets, accounts and financial applications. Analysis of the equipment seized was also authorised, respecting the privileges of the legal profession.
Operation Eredità: five years of joint Brazil-Italy investigation
Operation Eredità is investigating the continuation of the international trafficking scheme which, according to the Federal Police, primarily used the Port of Paranaguá to send cocaine to Europe and maintained ties with members of the 'Ndrangheta. The operation brings together elements from previous investigations, including Operations Retis and Spiderweb.
The investigation was conducted by a Joint Investigation Team made up of Brazilian and Italian authorities between 2020 and 2025. On the Brazilian side, the Federal Police and the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office participated. In Italy, the work involved the Anti-Crime Department of Turin of the ROS Carabinieri and the Public Prosecutor's Office of Turin.
Source: Google News BR — Crime