Brazilian Courts Target Police Drug Diversion Scheme and Grant Habeas Corpus to Gang Leader

A police delegation in João Pessoa was accused of diverting seized drugs. Delegate Braz Morroni and civil police agents Everton Aires and Eduardo Jorge Ferreira (known as “Mão Branca”) were indicted for qualified theft, abuse of authority, document falsification and procedural fraud. Prosecutors asked for loss of public office, conversion of temporary detention to preventive detention and a R$ 1 million collective moral‑damage payment. Evidence cited includes cellphone data, vehicle geolocation, and financial records. The three remain detained in the Valentina Special Prison.

Separately, the Tribunal de Justiça do Piauí granted a habeas corpus to Adeilson do Amaral de Sousa, alleged head of the Red Command criminal organization in Parnaíba. Previously sentenced to nine years for drug‑trafficking association and fined, he was released pending appeal after the court found his preventive detention illegal. Judges emphasized the risk to public order given his alleged leadership role and financial influence in illicit trafficking.