National operation arrests 93 suspects for trafficking and links to criminal factions in 14 states
The FICCOs executed 93 arrest warrants and 179 search and seizure warrants across 14 states against criminal factions. The offensive occurs under pressure from the US, which has classified CV and PCC as terrorist organisations.
FICCOs launch third phase of operation against organised crime across the country
According to Google News BR — Crime, the Integrated Forces to Combat Organised Crime (FICCOs) carried out the third phase of Operation Integrated III on Wednesday, with simultaneous actions in 14 Brazilian states. A total of 93 arrest warrants and 179 search and seizure warrants were executed against those under investigation for drug trafficking, arms trafficking and money laundering.
The operation brought together the Federal Police (PF), the Federal Highway Police (PRF), the Prison Police and state civil and military police forces.
In Ceará, Pernambuco, Pará and Amazonas, teams executed 16 search and seizure warrants as part of investigations into interstate drug trafficking and money laundering. In Goiás, Mato Grosso and São Paulo, the target was a group under investigation for supplying and distributing chemical inputs used in the adulteration of narcotics, according to the PF.
In São Paulo, one of the investigations also targeted a criminal association dedicated to cargo and truck theft. In Minas Gerais, an organisation linked to drug trafficking had installed surveillance cameras on public roads without authorisation; the courts have already ordered the removal of the equipment.
The offensive occurs amid increased pressure from the United States on Brazil to combat organised crime. In May, the government of President Donald Trump classified the Red Command (CV) and the First Command of the Capital (PCC) as terrorist organisations, expanding financial and legal sanctions against the groups and their members.
In a dispatch sent to the Chamber of Deputies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that the measure could open the way for extraterritorial actions by the US against Brazilian people and companies and, ultimately, even for the use of military force on national soil.
The Ministry of Defence takes a different view of this assessment. The ministry stated that it does not see a risk of American military action in Brazil and said it maintains channels of dialogue with North American authorities, arguing that Brazilian criminal factions are profit-driven criminal organisations — not groups of a political or terrorist nature.
Source: Google News BR — Crime