Federal Police seize R$ 510,000 in cash at Congonhas Airport

The Brazilian Federal Police seized R$ 510,000 in cash from a suitcase at Congonhas Airport in São Paulo on Tuesday. The money was discovered during a routine X-ray inspection of a passenger's luggage.

The passenger has been identified as Valéria Rodrigues Linhares, a lawyer and former candidate for district deputy affiliated with the PSD party in the Federal District. While Linhares initially claimed the suitcase contained R$ 400,000, authorities discovered the actual amount was R$ 510,000.

Linhares stated that the funds are declared in her income tax returns and promised to provide documentation within 48 hours. Her defense maintains that the money is legal and stems from typical legal services provided to clients. The Federal Police noted that if the origin of the funds cannot be verified, the case may be referred to the judiciary, potentially leading to investigations into money laundering or currency evasion.