Last Thursday (3), the Civil Police launched Operation Helmintos to dismantle a group linked to the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) suspected of laundering money from drug trafficking and exerting influence over economic and political activities in Praia Grande, on the coast of São Paulo.
The actions took place in properties, companies and a sector of the municipal administration of Praia Grande, as well as addresses in Guarujá, Santo André and Santana de Parnaíba.
The group was made up of members of the criminal organization, financial operators, real estate intermediaries and people used as “front men” (who borrow their own name). According to investigations, the scheme would have generated around R$1 billion, mainly in the acquisition of high-end properties, companies and commercial establishments.
The Civil Police seized cash, cell phones, jewelry and other objects during the operation in Praia Grande (SP). — Photo: Disclosure/Civil Police
g1 gathered what is known about the case so far:
1. What was the objective of the operation?
Operation Helmintos seeks to dismantle a group suspected of using economic activities to launder money from drug trafficking and, at the same time, expand its influence over sectors of Praia Grande's economy and politics.
According to the Civil Police, four main fronts of action were identified, which indicate a possible attempt to expand the influence of the criminal organization over sectors of the Executive and municipal Legislature:
money laundering through real estate deals;
control of kiosks installed in public areas of Praia Grande;
suspicions of favoritism in municipal bidding procedures;
financing or support for elected political agents.
The name of the operation refers to the action considered “parasitic” on the local economy, with possible harm to free competition and the use of commercial activities to benefit the criminal organization.
2. Who were the main targets?
Four men were identified as members of the main group investigated and had arrest warrants issued by the courts:
Anderson Roberto Braghine, “Fio”;
Alexander Miguel da Silva, “Gordão”;
Leonildo Marinho de Andrade, Nenê;
Ronaldo Yuzo Sekiya, the “Japanese”.
They would have different functions in the structure investigated, which involved everything from capturing money from drug trafficking to the movement and concealment of values through companies and properties.
The group's activities would not be restricted to the financial system. The investigation also found evidence that the suspects maintained businesses and relationships that could guarantee influence over the municipality's economic activities.
'Fio', 'Gordão', 'Japonês' and 'Nenê' are targets of Operation Helmintos arrest warrants - Photo: Civil Police
3. Who was arrested?
Fio and Nenê were arrested during the operation. The two lived in the same condominium, in the Guilhermina neighborhood, in Praia Grande. g1 did not locate the defense of the four investigated until the publication of this report.
According to investigations by the Judicial Police Department of São Paulo Interior 6 (Deinter 6), they are mainly responsible for the nucleus that would have handled values close to R$1 billion.
4. How did the scheme work?
One of the main ways of moving money was the purchase of high-end properties. The strategy would make it possible to transform resources of illicit origin into assets and make it difficult to identify the true owners of the assets.
For this, private deeds, chains of powers of attorney and people who lent their own name were used. These intermediaries are known as “frontmen” and, according to the investigation, would help hide the relationship between the assets and the group’s members.
The scheme also involved at least four kiosks installed in public areas in Praia Grande. Companies that operated as taprooms, bars and restaurants would be used to move resources and insert them into the formal economy.
Operating in these establishments would have given the group a way to move money, in addition to its presence in an economic activity explored in public areas of the city.
5. How were the suspects involved in the scheme?
Despite operating within the same structure, the four main targets would have different functions.
Anderson Roberto Braghine (Fio): head of the criminal organization, responsible for commanding the capture of amounts from drug trafficking and money laundering through companies and properties;
Alexander Miguel da Silva (Gordão): one of the main members of the organization, responsible for capturing amounts from large-scale drug sales with members of the PCC, through a "shell" company and real estate by proxy;
Leonildo Marinho de Andrade (Nenê): main financial operator, responsible for introducing cash into the financial system ("capitalization") and redistributing it to managers;
Ronaldo Yuzo Sekiya (Japanese): "trusted man" of the organization, acting as a financial operator directly linked to Alexander.
Infographic shows how the scheme worked, according to the Civil Police — Photo: Arte/g1
6. Who are the others being investigated?
In addition to the four targets of arrest warrants, the Deinter 6 investigation pointed to the participation of six other people (five women and one man), who are being investigated for their involvement in the gang.
One of the suspects is a partner in a kiosk in Praia Grande and reportedly declared income of R$3,300, while turnover of R$51.2 million. According to the investigation, she is the wife of one of the organization's heads and was out of Brazil.
Two other women are also wives of members of the scheme, while one is a former partner of one of them. The core also involves legal entities (kiosks and companies) used as an integration instrument.
7. What was seized?
During the operation, the Civil Police seized cash, cell phones, jewelry, vehicles and trucks, as well as documents and deeds related to the properties investigated.
During a press conference on Thursday (3), delegate Bruno Lázaro, from the Narcotics Investigations Department (DISE), reported that gold and other goods were also found that will be analyzed during the investigation.
The court also ordered the blocking of more than 30 properties linked to those being investigated.
8. What does the city hall say?
In a statement, Praia Grande City Hall reported that there was no search and seizure warrant carried out on the municipal administration's premises.
"A Civil Police agent was at City Hall requesting information about a specific tender for the operation of a single kiosk located on the waterfront", says the statement.
According to the city hall, the administration remains at the disposal of the competent authorities to provide all necessary information.
Operation Helmintos carries out warrants in Praia Grande — Photo: Civil Police
