Brazil police uncover R$49 billion PCC money‑laundering network

The São Paulo Civil Police’s Financial Intelligence Department (Denarc) released a 255‑page report detailing a money‑laundering operation linked to the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) that moved more than R$ 49 billion. The scheme used companies controlled by Victor Henrique de Oliveira Shimada, including Victory Trading Inter de Negócios, and involved the Master Bank as a conduit. Funds were routed through real and shell corporations, investment funds, publicly listed firms, NGOs, payment platforms and cryptocurrency operations, obscuring the final beneficiaries. Shimada became the first Brazilian sanctioned by the United States for suspected international movement of criminal proceeds.

In a related case, the São Paulo Court of Justice denied a new habeas corpus petition for influencer and lawyer Deolane Bezerra, keeping her in preventive detention at the Tupi Paulista Women’s Prison. Bezerra is investigated under Operation Vérnix for alleged involvement in the same PCC laundering scheme, illegal gambling and organized‑crime activities. The court ruled the defense did not demonstrate any illegality in the detention, and her suspension from the Bar further weakens claims for special prison privileges.