On Friday, a joint operation by Operação Foco, the Rio state security office (GSI‑RJ), the National Agency of Petroleum (ANP) and the Rural Crime Police (Delfaz) dismantled an illegal fuel‑theft and resale network in Duque de Caxias, Baixada Fluminense. Six suspects were arrested in flagrante and a warehouse known as a “biqueira” was shut down. Authorities seized 12,200 liters of irregular fuel—including gasoline, additive gasoline, ethanol, diesel S500 and diesel S10—and R$ 22,750 in cash used to pay drivers involved in the scheme.
Investigators found two tanker trucks linked to the operation, one parked at the site and another intercepted as it left. The fraud began at distributors, where trucks left with seals that did not match the invoices. Drivers diverted about 20 liters from each of the eight tank compartments, which were later sold for R$ 70 per 20 liters and re‑sealed with correct documentation to hide the theft. The illicit fuel was sold at prices below the official market. GSI‑RJ secretary Roberto Lizandro Leão said the clandestine stations cause losses to public coffers, unfair competition and safety risks for the population.