< Back to all clusters
[CRIME] · Brazil · 52 sources

Operation Metástase dismantles Brazil's cancer drug trafficking ring

Police civil forces from Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo launched Operation Metástase to break up an interstate criminal network that stole and sold high‑value oncology and immunosuppressive medicines. The group moved more than R$ 33 million worth of drugs, using about 25 shell companies and coordinating with the Third Command Pure (TCP) gang in the Complexo da Maré for storage and redistribution. Over 20 search and seizure warrants were executed across Rio, São Paulo, Goiás, Pará and the Baixada Santista, resulting in the seizure of numerous drug batches, three firearms, and the arrest of several suspects. Authorities also blocked R$ 30 million in bank accounts and seized luxury assets, including vehicles and real estate, to cripple the organization’s finances. The operation aims to protect patients by preventing illegal diversion of costly cancer treatments and to deter future organized‑crime infiltration of Brazil’s health‑care supply chain.

Sources

about 2 hours ago
about 20 hours ago
about 6 hours ago