Brazilian police bust cocaine traffickers in crypto-linked transnational probe
Summary
Brazilian Federal Police disrupted an alleged international drug cartel linked to trafficking about 6.5 metric tons of cocaine and laundering billions of reais. Nine people were arrested, with 13 pretrial detention warrants and 44 search-and-seizure warrants executed across São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Santa Catarina and Espírito Santo. Courts also ordered up to 1 billion reais in asset freezes. The network is suspected of hiding proceeds through shell companies, crypto-enabled illicit money brokers, luxury goods and real estate. Expected charges include participation in a transnational criminal organization, international drug trafficking and money laundering.
