Federal Police arrest members of drug-trafficking gang operating aircraft
Operation dismantled group suspected of transporting cocaine abroad; one of the leaders was captured in Colombia with help from Interpol.
Federal Police arrest members of drug-trafficking gang operating aircraft
Federal Police officers launched an operation on Thursday (18 June) to dismantle a drugs-trafficking scheme that used aircraft to transport drugs from Brazil to other countries. In total, four arrest warrants and four search-and-seizure warrants were issued, executed across four different states.
The cities targeted by the operation were Jales in the interior of São Paulo; Rio Brilhante and Nova Alvorada do Sul, both in Mato Grosso do Sul; and Balneário de Arambaré in Rio Grande do Sul. The case dates back to July 2022, when an aircraft carrying 663 kilograms of cocaine was forced to make an emergency landing in the rural zone of Pontalinda, also in São Paulo. On that occasion, the criminals managed to flee before police arrived at the scene.
After nearly three years of investigation, federal officers succeeded in mapping the participants in the scheme. Among them were the man who piloted the aircraft, the flight attendant and the members who provided ground support — from moving the drugs to purchasing the aircraft itself.
The suspect identified as the chief pilot of the operation was placed on Interpol's wanted list, known as Red Notice. He was arrested in Colombia in a joint operation between Federal Police attachés and local police officers, demonstrating the importance of collaboration between nations in combating transnational crime.
At the addresses searched, agents seized cars, mobile phones and computers, as well as an arsenal that included rifles, revolvers, ammunition and accessories for restricted use by security forces.
Those detained must face charges of international drug trafficking, gang formation and criminal association for drug trafficking. Other offences may be added as investigations progress. All confiscated material will be analysed by criminal experts.
Source: Federal Police — www.gov.br
Source: Google News BR — São Paulo