Bahia prison scandal reveals lawyer and police collusion with criminal gangs

Operation Sintonia de Gravata uncovered ten lawyers in Bahia who acted as messengers, financial operators and logisticians for criminal factions such as the Comando Vermelho, Terceiro Comando Puro and Bangu de Mão. Their activities included transmitting orders, managing drug‑money transfers via Pix, coordinating weapons purchases and handling illicit cargoes, effectively using legal privileges to support organized crime.

In a related case, ten penal police officers from the Conjunto Penal de Feira de Santana were sentenced after the Operation Sísifo probe found they facilitated the entry of drugs, smartphones and other contraband into the prison. Led by Valmir Pereira de Jesus, who received more than 28 years, the officers were convicted of organized crime, active and passive corruption, drug trafficking, and money laundering. Two additional civilians were also sentenced for related offenses. Both investigations highlight extensive corruption networks exploiting the Bahia prison system for criminal profit.