Água Santa president surrenders amid PCC transport probe

Paulo Sirqueira Korek Farias, president of Esporte Clube Água Santa and a transport businessman, surrendered to police on Saturday night following an arrest warrant issued during ‘Operação Vectura Corrupta’. The operation, conducted by the São Paulo Public Prosecutor's Office and Civil Police, investigates the infiltration of the criminal organization Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) into São Paulo's public transportation system.

Prosecutors allege that Korek Farias, owner of companies Translider and A2, acted as a ‘front man’ for the criminal faction, managing recurring payments to intermediaries to handle organized crime interests. Investigations suggest the PCC may hold a monopoly over the capital's public transport, with at least 12 of the city's 22 operating companies allegedly under its control.

The operation resulted in 16 arrest warrants and 18 search and seizure warrants being executed. Other high-profile targets include former São Paulo City Council President Milton Leite da Silva, former SPTrans president Levi dos Santos Oliveira, and state deputy candidate Danilo Marco Morgado Silva. Korek Farias has provided testimony and remains in custody.