Bahia police crack down on health‑fund fraud and illegal e‑cigarette trade

The Public Ministry of Bahia (MP‑BA) carried out Operation Parasitadeflagrada in Eunápolis, arresting a man caught with an illegal firearm and seizing notebooks, phones, a tablet and documents linked to a suspected criminal association that allegedly diverted public money meant for the Hospital Geral de Eunápolis. Three search and seizure warrants were executed as investigators probe contract fraud, inflated invoices and possible money‑laundering.

In a separate sweep called Operation Havana, the Bahia Civil Police targeted a criminal group involved in the clandestine sale of electronic cigarettes sourced from Paraguay and multiple fraud-related offenses in Vitória da Conquista and neighboring municipalities. Authorities arrested a 42‑year‑old alleged leader, recovered firearms, ammunition, cash, luxury vehicles, e‑cigarettes, ecstasy samples and electronic devices, and filed charges for illegal weapons possession, document falsification and drug trafficking.