US sanctions Brazilian PCC-linked money launderers and firms

The United States Treasury announced sanctions on two Brazilians, Victor Henrique de Oliveira Shimada and Stella Stefanie Nunes Henrique de Oliveira, and four companies for allegedly laundering more than US$30 million for the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), which the U.S. has designated as a terrorist organization. The FBI says Shimada acted as an intermediary between PCC operatives in Florida and international criminal networks, moving funds through cryptocurrencies and cash. The sanctioned firms – Victory Trading, Pixwave Soluções de Pagamentos, Wave Construções Inteligentes and the Portuguese Avenidas Flutuantes – now have their assets blocked and U.S. entities barred from doing business with them.

In Brazil, the Federal Police carried out a coordinated operation targeting the same network, which they say moved up to R$10 billion (roughly US$2 billion) in illicit proceeds from drug trafficking. Thirteen search and seizure warrants and eleven temporary arrest orders were executed in São Paulo, Santos, Praia Grande and Santana de Parnaíba, and a court ordered the seizure of assets worth up to R$10 billion. The investigation also links Victory Trading to a separate Brazilian probe over a sponsorship contract with the football club Corinthians.