São Paulo police corruption probe targets electronics smuggling ring

The São Paulo Public Prosecutor's Office and the Civil Police Internal Affairs Department conducted ‘Operação Merx’ to dismantle a corruption scheme involving the diversion of electronic goods and bribery. The investigation targeted a group of civil police officers accused of seizing irregular shipments of mobile phones and demanding bribes from smugglers to release the cargo.

Authorities estimate that bribes totaled R$ 2.35 million, with some demands reaching up to 70% of the shipment's value. A luxury residence in Maresias, attributed to investigator Marcos Vinícius de Souza Melo, was a primary focus of the operation, where weapons and other related objects were seized.

Seven individuals have been subject to preventive arrest orders, including four civil police officers: José Adriano, Bruno Moreno, Marcos Vinícius, and Wagner Ramalho. Additionally, lawyer Sidiclei Almeida and businessman Jonathan Vieira were detained. The court has also ordered the seizure and freezing of assets valued at up to R$ 4 million.