PF carries out operation against group suspected of taking more than 270 Brazilians illegally to the USA

The search and seizure warrants are carried out in Central de Minas, in the East of Minas, a city located approximately 95 kilometers from Governador Valadares. The operation involves the seizure of vehicles linked to those under investigation and the blocking of up to R$27 million in goods and valuables.

According to the Federal Police, the main suspect coordinated all the logistics of the trips, from leaving Brazil by plane to irregularly entering the United States via the border with Mexico. It is estimated that each migrant paid around US$20,000 for the promise of immigration.

Investigations indicate that he worked with his brother, appointed as his right-hand man in the scheme, in addition to seven other people being investigated. The group would have created a business structure to move resources and hide the assets obtained from migrant smuggling.

According to the Federal Police, seven companies linked to those under investigation moved around R$270 million during the period analyzed. Of this total, approximately R$12 million would originate from the illegal sending of Brazilians to the United States.

The investigation also identified evidence of the use of shell companies and money laundering mechanisms to hide the origin of funds. With judicial authorization, the police analyzed financial movements to track values ​​and identify possible strategies for hiding assets.

In addition to the search and seizure warrants, the Court authorized the hijacking of vehicles linked to those being investigated and the blocking of up to R$27 million. According to the PF, the measures aim to guarantee the recovery of assets and resources related to the scheme being investigated.