Operation Tormenta arrests 13 drug trafficking suspects in Itacaré, Bahia

Thirteen people were arrested this Tuesday (18) during Operation Tormenta, launched by the Integrated Force to Combat Organized Crime in Ilhéus (FICCO) against a criminal organization suspected of drug trafficking in Itacaré, in the south of Bahia.

In total, 33 court warrants were served, 18 of which were for search and seizure and 15 for temporary arrest. The orders were issued by the Criminal Court of the District of Itacaré.

According to investigations, the group had an organized and hierarchical structure, with division of tasks. Among the functions identified are the management of points of sale, drug distribution and armed security.

The investigation also found evidence that third-party bank accounts were used to receive and move money allegedly obtained from criminal activities. The strategy, according to the investigation, would aim to make it difficult to trace the origin of resources.

The court also ordered the kidnapping and blocking of assets and valuables linked to those under investigation. The measure seeks to avoid the dissipation of resources that may be related to the group and interrupt the financial flow used to maintain the organization.

Those being investigated are suspected of the crimes of drug trafficking, trafficking association, criminal organization and money laundering.

Operation

Operation Tormenta is coordinated by FICCO/Ilhéus, which brings together teams from the Federal Police, Civil Police, Military Police and Criminal Police.

Teams from the Civil Police of Bahia participate in the action, through the Regional Directorate of Police of the Southern Interior (DIRPIN Sul), as well as specialized groups and coordinators from Ilhéus, Itabuna, Eunápolis, Porto Seguro and Valença.

Military police officers from the Southern Region Policing Command (CPRSUL), the 72nd Independent Military Police Company (CIPM/Itacaré), the TOR/CIPRV of Itabuna, CIPT Sul and CIPE Cacaueira also work.

FICCO/Ilhéus reported that it works in an integrated manner to combat organized crime in the region.