Operation in four states targets gang investigated for fraud and tax evasion of more than R$117 million

A network of orange companies in the beverage sector, whose names were not disclosed, was the target of search and seizure warrants this Thursday (15) in four states: Pernambuco, Bahia, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The investigations point to structured tax fraud and tax evasion that caused losses of more than R$117 million to public coffers, according to the Public Ministry of Pernambuco (MPPE).

The gang promoted the irregular circulation of goods without paying the Tax on the Circulation of Goods and Services (ICMS), reported the MPPE. The group's companies were registered or classified in a way that did not correspond to what they actually did, according to the Public Ministry of Pernambuco.

A company's type of activity and tax regime influence the taxes it must pay. In this way, the gang used these "wrong" business classifications to obtain tax benefits to which they were not entitled, such as paying less taxes than due.

Images of the operation show that documents, money, jewelry, cars and luxury watches were seized. In Pernambuco, warrants are fulfilled through collaboration between the MPPE, the Pernambuco Finance Secretariat (Sefaz), the State Attorney General's Office (PGE) and the Civil and Military police.