Brazil Supreme Court orders arrests in R$ 7.6 billion crime probe

Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has ordered the preventive detention of six individuals suspected of involvement in an organized crime group operating in Rio de Janeiro. The investigation, conducted by the Federal Police under ‘Operação Unha e Carne’, targets a criminal structure involving political articulation, business administration, and financial movement.

Among those detained are Márcio Canella, an elected state deputy and former mayor of Belford Roxo, identified as a political facilitator, and Marcus Vinicius Amim Fernandes, the former Secretary of Civil Police for Rio de Janeiro. The criminal organization allegedly used an extensive network of gas stations to hide assets and move illicit funds, with total movements estimated at over R$ 7.6 billion. Investigated crimes include money laundering, corruption, and fraud in public contracts.

In a separate ruling related to the same operation, Justice Moraes granted house arrest to civil police officer Christiano Gaspar Fernandes due to his medical condition. Following a high-risk surgery, Fernandes is reportedly experiencing hemorrhaging. His house arrest includes the use of an electronic ankle monitor, a ban on social media use, a prohibition on contacting other suspects, and the surrender of all passports.