Brazilian Stella Nunes released after US-linked PCC money‑laundering probe

A São Paulo federal judge ordered the immediate release of Stella Stefanie Nunes Henrique de Oliveira, a Brazilian citizen detained in the scope of Operation Exchange. The operation, led by Brazil’s Federal Police with cooperation from U.S. authorities, targeted a suspected financial arm of the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) alleged to launder billions of reais from international drug trafficking using crypto‑assets.

The court concluded that the criteria for extending her temporary detention were not met, so she was freed while other suspects, including Victor Henrique de Oliveira Shimada, remain in preventive custody. The investigation cites U.S. sanctions against the PCC and claims of over R$ 1.9 billion in illicit transactions linked to the criminal network.