A Brazilian federal court has sentenced 14 individuals to prison for laundering over 508 million reais ($95 million) linked to international drug trafficking and other violent crimes, concluding a lengthy investigation into an intricate criminal organization operating across several states.
The two ringleaders received sentences exceeding 21 years, while the others faced terms ranging from 8 to 17 years. All accused were mandated to reimburse the total laundered amount, and assets such as confiscated planes and luxury vehicles were surrendered to the federal government.
The investigation, known as Terra Fértil, revealed a scheme utilizing counterfeit companies across two states to mask the profits from drug sales.
Prosecutors described the organization as having a hierarchical structure with various roles: leadership controlling the financial flow, mid-level operators acting as fronts for the companies, and an accounting team facilitating operations through falsified documents and financial manipulations.
The court found that the network’s operational strategy involved initially placing illicit funds into the system via small bank deposits, rotating through fake corporate activities and currency exchanges, and ultimately integrating the funds through purchases of luxury goods.
Examples cited included aircraft registered to a bikini shop and high-end properties.
The group also employed the dólar-cabo system, a parallel method for international money transfers, and transferred substantial sums using cryptocurrency, as reported by authorities. According to local news source Livecoins, bitcoin was among the cryptocurrencies utilized, valued at .
The court’s ruling is subject to appeal.
