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MP And PM Dismantle PCC in Major Operation Against Fuel and Gambling: Billions Diverted. How Far Will We Go?
São Paulo, September 25 — The São Paulo MP and PM launched today the Spare Operation. With this, the offensive now targets the PCC’s financial heart directly. In total, the operation executes 25 search and seizure warrants in São Paulo, Santo André, Osasco, Barueri, Bertioga, and Campos do Jordão.
During the investigations, agents discovered that the faction was controlling gas stations, gambling operations, and even motels. This way, they managed to launder money and illicitly enrich themselves. However, despite moving billions of reais in a few years, the group paid almost no taxes.
Operation Hits Hard at PCC’s Structure
The Public Prosecutor’s Office, PM, and Federal Revenue acted in a coordinated manner. More than 200 agents participated in the operation, including Revenue officials, members of Gaeco, and military police officers.
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The objective was clear: to break the PCC’s cash flow. The group used front companies to move millions without drawing attention.
How the Scheme Was Discovered
It all started in Santos. Card machines were seized in gambling houses. It soon became evident: these devices were linked to gas stations controlled by the faction.
Financial transactions pointed to a suspicious fintech, already under investigation in the Hidden Carbon Operation. Thus, the investigators connected the two operations and revealed a sophisticated money concealment mechanism.
Billion-Dollar Fraud in Fuels
The main target controlled 400 gas stations. At least 267 remain active. Between 2020 and 2024, they moved R$ 4.5 billion. However, they paid only R$ 4.5 million in taxes — 0.1% of the total.
Additionally, management companies linked to the group accounted for over R$ 540 million in transactions during the same period.
This discrepancy raised the Federal Revenue’s alarm.
Expansion to Motels, Franchises, and Construction
The PCC did not limit itself to the fuel sector. The group expanded into franchises, motels, and even construction.
21 CNPJs linked to 98 establishments were identified. They moved R$ 1 billion but recorded only half on invoices.
Over 60 motels in the name of fronts also came onto the radar. Together, they moved R$ 450 million and distributed R$ 45 million in profits. Even restaurants within these motels simulated earnings to legitimize the circulation of money.
Luxurious Assets Draw Attention
The Spare Operation is not acting in isolation. On the contrary, it connects with other significant offensives against organized crime. The targets maintain direct relationships with those investigated in the Crime King Operation and the Hidden Carbon.
The investigators identified joint transactions among those involved. Additionally, they confirmed the shared use of helicopters. To top it off, they even found international trips paid jointly, highlighting the cooperation network among the criminals.
Recently, the Federal Revenue intensified pressure on these schemes. Last week, it launched the Carbon Chain Operation, which seized oil and derivatives valued at R$ 240 million at the Port of Rio de Janeiro.
Connections to Other Operations
The Spare Operation does not act in isolation. On the contrary, it is directly connected to other major offensives against organized crime. The targets are linked to those investigated in the Crime King Operation and also the Hidden Carbon.
During the investigations, the agents found joint transactions, as well as the shared use of helicopters. Furthermore, they identified even international trips paid together, reinforcing the cooperation network among those involved.
Recently, the Federal Revenue ramped up the offensive against similar schemes. Last week, the institution launched the Carbon Chain Operation, resulting in the seizure of oil and derivatives valued at R$ 240 million at the Port of Rio de Janeiro.
The Meaning of the Name “Spare”
The term “Spare” comes from bowling and means to knock down all the pins in two throws. Therefore, investigators used the metaphor to symbolize progress against the PCC.
First, the Hidden Carbon Operation served as the opening play, exposing the foundation of the criminal scheme. After that, the Spare Operation emerged as the second play, aiming to complete the movement.
Thus, the current offensive represents the final throw. With this, it aims directly at the financial machinery of the faction, seeking to cut off the source of illicit resources sustaining the group.
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