The Federal Police launched the 6th phase of Operation Unha e Carne this Tuesday (7) to dismantle a criminal organization suspected of using a network of gas stations in the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area for money laundering. Authorized by Supreme Federal Court (STF) Justice Alexandre de Moraes, the operation involves 19 search and seizure warrants across Niterói, São Gonçalo, Itaboraí, Resende, and the state capital.
Investigators report that the scheme moved over R$ 7,6 bilhões during the last six years, according to data from the Council for Control of Financial Activities (Coaf). Beyond the search warrants, the operation includes the sequestration of assets and the suspension of economic activities for companies linked to the investigation.
Who are the primary targets?
The investigation identifies several prominent figures with political and security ties in the state. Márcio Canella (União), a former mayor of Belford Roxo and former state deputy, is among the primary targets. Canella, who is currently a pre-candidate for the Senate on the ticket of Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL), has maintained political connections with militiamen in the Baixada Fluminense. Records show he previously appointed individuals convicted of militia practices to secretarial roles in the Belford Roxo city government.
Former Secretary of the Civil Police Marcus Amim is also named in the investigation. Amim’s appointment to the cabinet in 2023 followed political pressure from state deputies, requiring a change to the Civil Police Organic Law because he lacked the mandatory 15 years of service as a delegate. Additionally, the operation highlights Juracy Alves Prudêncio, known as “Jura,” a former military police officer convicted of leading a militia in the Baixada Fluminense and serving a 22-year sentence for homicide. Finally, Civil Police Inspector Pablo Jukia Felix Ferreira, or “Pablo Russo,” is identified as a suspected owner of a gas station network held through proxies.
Did You Know?
The investigation into Márcio Canella highlights his significant local influence; he secured 46% of the valid votes for the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro (Alerj) in Belford Roxo, the highest local dominance among all candidates for state legislative bodies in municipalities with more than 200 thousand voters in the country.
What are the potential legal and political consequences?
The immediate impact of the operation involves the freezing of assets and the halting of business operations for companies suspected of facilitating the massive money laundering scheme. Given the involvement of high-profile political figures, the legal proceedings may trigger shifts in party dynamics, particularly within the União Brasil leadership in Rio de Janeiro, currently held by Canella following the imprisonment of former Alerj president Rodrigo Bacellar.
Future developments could include formal charges brought by the Federal Police based on the evidence seized during the 19 search warrants. If the allegations of money laundering and militia ties are substantiated in court, they may undermine the ongoing electoral campaigns of the accused. The judicial process will now depend on the analysis of financial records recovered by investigators and the testimonies gathered during this phase of the operation.
Expert Insight:
This operation illustrates a recurring point of tension in Rio de Janeiro’s governance: the intersection of local political power, the security apparatus, and organized crime. The reliance on legislative changes to accommodate specific appointments, such as the case of Marcus Amim, suggests that institutional standards have faced significant pressure from political stakeholders. The scale of the R$ 7,6 bilhões figure, if confirmed, underscores the vast financial infrastructure required to sustain militia operations in the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary goal of Operation Unha e Carne?
The operation aims to dismantle a criminal organization suspected of using a network of gas stations in the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area to launder money.
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How much money is allegedly involved in the scheme?
According to a report from the Council for Control of Financial Activities (Coaf), the scheme has moved more than R$ 7,6 bilhões over the last six years.
Who authorized this operation?
The operation was authorized by Justice Alexandre de Moraes of the Supreme Federal Court (STF).
How will the outcome of this investigation impact the political landscape in Rio de Janeiro?
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