Ferrari, Lamborghini and more: VIDEO shows luxury cars linked to international trafficking seized in SC

Operation Recycling, launched this Tuesday (10), preventively arrested a person being investigated in Balneário Camboriú, on the North Coast of Santa Catarina, and carried out five search and seizure warrants in Itajaí, in the same region.

The Federal Court ordered the hijacking of more than 100 vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, trucks and trailers. According to the investigation, the group under investigation sent cocaine to Europe through the ports of Rio Grande (RS) and Itajaí, one of the country's main container terminals.

Five vessels and 17 properties were also hijacked in Santa Catarina and Paraná, including apartments on the coast of Santa Catarina.

The investigation identified a financial operator who hid the assets of leaders of criminal organizations, according to the PF. Among the customers was a group that sent cocaine to Europe through the ports of Itajaí (SC) and Rio Grande (RS).

According to the Federal Police, the person under investigation had been working since 2012 and also provided services to other people, including groups linked to fraud in the fuel sector.

The investigation showed that companies with no commercial ties to the operator made deposits, followed by cash withdrawals and purchases of goods registered in the name of third parties. The identified withdrawals exceeded R$26 million.

The investigations also highlighted the operator's participation in the logistics of receiving a shipment of cocaine transported by helicopter.

Operation Recycling is an offshoot of Operation Hinterland, which investigated the shipment of tons of cocaine to Europe. The suspects may face charges of money laundering, criminal organization and international drug trafficking.