Gaeco seizes planes and luxury cars in operation against fraud in Imperatriz
Action investigates scheme started in 2017 at the Municipal Infrastructure Secretariat and determines the blocking of more than R$621 million in assets.
By g1 MA — São Luís - MA
The Public Ministry of Maranhão (MPMA) launched, this Tuesday (15), Operation Faenerator, which investigates a group suspected of being part of a scheme to divert public resources and fraud in tenders involving the Municipal Infrastructure Secretariat of Imperatriz.
According to investigations, the scheme began in 2017.
During the action, agents seized planes, cars, boats, electronics and other goods.
The Public Ministry of Maranhão (MPMA) launched, this Tuesday (15), Operation Faenerator, which carried out search and seizure warrants against those being investigated for loan sharking, money laundering, criminal organization and crimes against public administration.
The investigations were carried out in Imperatriz, João Lisboa and Buritirana, in the west of Maranhão, in homes, company headquarters and rural properties related to those investigated.
The operation was carried out by the Special Action Group to Combat Criminal Organizations (Gaeco), through the Imperatriz Regional Center, with support from the State Superintendence of Criminal Investigations of the Civil Police (Seic), the Military Police and the Coordination of Strategic Affairs and Intelligence (Caei) of the MPMA. The action was authorized by the Special Collegiate Court for Organized Crimes.
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According to the MPMA, the operation is the result of deepening and crossing elements brought together in the Regalo, Timoneiro and Pavimentum operations, previously carried out by Gaeco to investigate irregularities involving public resources and companies contracted within the scope of the Imperatriz Municipal Infrastructure Secretariat (Sinfra).
The targets are part of a financial group suspected of financing companies involved in contracts and public works in the municipality of Imperatriz. Among them are construction companies that had already been investigated for misappropriation of Sinfra resources.
According to investigations, there is evidence that the crimes have occurred since at least 2017.
How the scheme worked, according to the MPMA
According to the Public Ministry, the group provided money to businesspeople through interest-charging loans. At the same time, it used individuals, companies and different financial and asset operations to hide and disguise the origin of the values.
Investigations indicate that construction companies sought out the group when they needed immediate resources to start works, maintain cash flow or meet financial commitments. According to the MPMA, the money was lent without formalized guarantees, with interest ranging between 3.5% and 4% per month. In case of delay, additional charges were also charged.
As collateral, checks and promissory notes were used, which remained outside the banking system and served as physical debt control instruments.
The investigation also identified financial movements considered incompatible with the economic activity declared by some companies linked to the group. In one case, a dental clinic reported average monthly revenue of around R$13,000, but generated R$143.8 million between 2019 and 2024.
According to the MPMA, the group used bank transfers, Pix, fractional deposits, pass-through accounts, intermediaries and cash withdrawals to make it difficult to track resources.
Blocked goods
Gaeco seizes planes and luxury cars in operation against fraud in Imperatriz — Photo: Reproduction/ MPMA
The court decision authorized the blocking and unavailability of goods and values of up to R$621,455,220.00. The measure includes financial assets, real estate, vehicles, aircraft, vessels and other goods.
During the operation, agents also seized planes, cars, boats, electronics and other assets. The Court also authorized the extraction and analysis of data from the seized electronic devices.
According to the Public Ministry, money laundering also involved the reinsertion of values into the formal economy through the purchase and sale of luxury cars, heavy vehicles, aircraft, helicopters, boats and rural properties.
The investigations also indicate payments of personal obligations related to public agents and politically exposed people. Gaeco reported that it is still determining the total value of the seized assets and carrying out other measures.
Until the last update of this article, Imperatriz City Hall had not commented on the case.
