# Cash seizure at Congonhas Airport

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/cash-seizure-at-congonhas-airport
> Updated: 2026-08-26T15:19:00.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 2.

Brazilian Federal Police seized R$ 510,000 in cash from a suitcase during a routine X-ray inspection at Congonhas Airport in São Paulo. The passenger, identified as Valéria Rodrigues Linhares—a lawyer and former PSD party candidate for district deputy—initially claimed the suitcase contained R$ 400,000.

Linhares stated the funds are declared in her income tax returns and her defense maintains the money is legal, resulting from legal services provided to clients. The Federal Police noted that if the origin of the funds cannot be verified, the case may be referred to the judiciary for potential investigations into money laundering or currency evasion.

The seizure highlights the role of X-ray technology used by the Federal Police to conduct non-invasive inspections of airport baggage.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-26: Polícia Federal uses X-ray technology for airport security

The Brazilian Federal Police used X-ray technology to seize R$ 510,000 in cash at Congonhas International Airport, utilizing non-invasive scanning to inspect baggage contents.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/polcia-federal-uses-x-ray-technology-for-airport-security

### 2026-08-25: Federal Police seize R$ 510,000 in cash at Congonhas Airport

The Brazilian Federal Police seized R$ 510,000 in cash from a suitcase at Congonhas Airport. The passenger, a lawyer affiliated with the PSD party, claims the funds are legal and will provide documentation.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/federal-police-seize-r-510000-in-cash-at-congonhas-airport

---
Cite as: Cash seizure at Congonhas Airport. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/cash-seizure-at-congonhas-airport