Brazil's Gaeco conducts nationwide anti‑corruption raids targeting public procurement and organized crime

The special anti‑organized crime unit (Gaeco) of Brazil's public prosecutors carried out a series of coordinated operations across several states.

In Mato Grosso do Sul, the "Gutenberg" operation uncovered a criminal scheme that diverted roughly R$ 27 million by using public‑funded purchases of textbooks as a front. Sixteen preventive arrest warrants and 43 search warrants were executed in Campo Grande, Dourados, São Gabriel do Oeste, Caarapó, Corguinho, Porto Murtinho, São Paulo (SP) and Abadiânia (GO). The investigation showed collusion between business leaders and corrupt public servants, including health‑sector officials who leveraged the scheme to influence hospital services.

In São Paulo, the "Ar Frio" operation targeted two former municipal employees suspected of steering a R$ 1 billion air‑conditioning contract to pre‑selected firms in exchange for bribes. Searches recovered cash and electronic devices and identified possible asset concealment through third‑party holdings.

In Rondônia and neighboring states, the "Audácia XI" phase executed 89 search warrants and 35 arrests in Porto Velho, Ariquemes, Machadinho do Oeste, Rolim de Moura, Cruzeiro do Sul (AC), Humaitá (AM) and Catanduvas (PR), aiming to dismantle a local criminal organization involved in illegal arms possession, drug trafficking and other offenses.

In Tocantins, a Gaeco raid against a core PCC cell—referred to as the "Tribunal do Crime"—resulted in 13 arrests, 14 searches and the seizure of about R$ 1 million in assets, disrupting the gang’s internal justice system and money‑laundering network.