Police colonels named in investigation into money laundering for the PCC
Three colonels from São Paulo Military Police appear in reports from the Public Prosecutor's Office that provided the basis for Operation Janus, launched on Tuesday (21).
Operation Janus points to Military Police colonels in network suspected of laundering PCC money
Three colonels from São Paulo Military Police were cited in reports from the Public Prosecutor's Office that provided the basis for Operation Janus, launched on Tuesday (21), according to reporting by www1.folha.uol.com.br. The operation targets a group suspected of moving illicit funds on behalf of the PCC (Primeiro Comando da Capital) and of participating in so-called crime courts.
The court decision that authorised 18 arrests and search and seizure warrants indicates that members of the group suspected of money laundering "demonstrated having influence over civil and military police". The officers cited are not formally under investigation and were not direct targets of the operation, which focused on those suspected of financial crimes. The evidence is to be shared with the Military Justice system at the end of the inquiry.
Former commander-in-chief mentioned in intercepted conversations
Among the officers cited is colonel José Augusto Coutinho, who served as commander-in-chief of São Paulo Military Police until April of this year and is currently on reserve. According to the court, Coutinho was mentioned "in the context of the figure of financial operator Amjad Ahmad", identified as someone who provides services of "converting electronic transfers to cash" and has connections with PCC members.
The former commander appeared in conversations between financial operators, although the court decision does not detail the content of these exchanges. Until the operation was launched on Tuesday, the investigation had not identified any other element related to Coutinho beyond these mentions in intercepted communications.
Coutinho's defence stated it had not had access to the investigation, but "reaffirms the integrity and propriety with which Colonel Coutinho has always exercised his duties" and stated it is "certain that, in the course of the proceedings, it will be demonstrated that there is no involvement on his part".
Coutinho's name had previously been cited in a statement from the Military Justice Public Prosecutor's Office, which pointed to evidence that the former commander-in-chief may have committed malfeasance or condoned criminal behaviour. According to that investigation, he failed to order investigations into leaks of operations and classified information linked to investigations against the PCC, even after being alerted to the problem. On that occasion, the Public Prosecutor's Office did not point to a direct relationship between the officer and the criminal organisation.
Reserve colonel participated in WhatsApp group with suspects
Colonel Luiz Carlos Pereira Martins, on reserve since 2019, was part of a WhatsApp group with suspects of money laundering, according to the Public Prosecutor's Office. The group was called "Aniversário general" (General's birthday) and remained active at least until 21 November 2023.
"Worth noting is the participation of both in the WhatsApp group called 'Aniversário general', active at least until 21 November 2023, in which messages of a personal and social character were sent, including those related to events and celebrations, demonstrating a relationship of proximity beyond merely occasional contact", states the court decision from the 2nd Court of Tax Crimes, Criminal Organisations and Money Laundering of the Capital.
The link between Pereira Martins and the investigated parties was maintained even after they were targeted in Operation Fractal in 2022. The court document also notes that the colonel "offered to help the investigated parties and mediate contact with authorities, which reinforces the degree of proximity found".
The reporting did not identify who represents Pereira Martins's defence.
Third colonel listed in financial operator's spreadsheet
A third officer, identified only as colonel Patrício, appears in a spreadsheet as a client of one of the financial operators under investigation, according to the court document. In a previous operation, a notation indicating a payment of R$ 1,000 on behalf of Patrício was found at the residence of one of the investigated parties.
Scheme exchanged trafficking money for bank transfers
According to the investigations, the group operated in the exchange of electronic transfers for cash values — and vice versa. The suspects themselves referred to the scheme as "converting electronic transfers to cash", according to authorities.
The operation worked as follows: whoever held cash derived from trafficking handed the notes to the group and received in return a bank transfer already inserted into the financial system with an appearance of legitimacy, supported by some economic justification. This process took place through shell companies.
One of the messages intercepted by the investigation records that the suspects discussed the need "for financial resources to 'pay the police'", according to the court decision. The dialogue took place between two suspects of providing financial services to the PCC.
Operation is an offshoot of earlier Gaeco investigations
Operation Janus is an offshoot of operations Recidere, Bazaar and Sallus et Dignitas. The investigations are conducted by Gaeco (Grupo de Atuação Especial no Combate ao Crime Organizado), the specialised arm of the Public Prosecutor's Office dedicated to countering criminal organisations.
The earlier investigation — which now converges on Janus — targeted subordinates of Coutinho in the Rota (Rondas Ostensivas Tobias de Aguiar), an elite troop of the Military Police, during the period 2020 to 2021, still under the previous administration.
Source: Google News BR — São Paulo