Rio de Janeiro politician Márcio Canella arrested in money laundering probe

Márcio Canella, an elected state deputy and president of União Brasil in Rio de Janeiro, was arrested by the Federal Police on Thursday. He is suspected of being the political leader of a criminal group involved in a money laundering scheme through gas stations, which allegedly moved approximately R$ 7.6 billion. Investigators suggest Canella acted as a link between public authorities, economic networks, and armed groups.

Canella has significantly expanded his regional influence by supporting allies who adopted his surname in various municipal chambers and mayoral offices across the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area, including Belford Roxo and São Gonçalo. Two allies using the surname, Hugo Correia da Cruz and Jorge Canella, are also cited in the investigation.

Federal Deputy Jandira Feghali commented on the arrest, highlighting the broader issue of organized crime and militias influencing Rio de Janeiro's politics through territorial control and economic activities such as internet services, gas supply, and construction. Canella is known as an ally of Senator Flávio Bolsonaro.