“Arrested ‘Oil Baron,’ Former City Councilman from RJ, Caused 33 Million Reais Loss to Petrobras by Stealing 14 Million Liters of Fuel”

Gang Responsible for Stealing 14 Million Liters of Oil from Petrobras Operated in the States of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Espírito Santo

Known as the “Baron of Oil,” Denilson Silva Pessanha, former councilman of Duque de Caxias in Rio de Janeiro, is identified as the leader of one of the largest fuel theft gangs from Petrobras pipelines. Looking for a job? Send your resume now, Transocean Contracts with Petrobras Demand Openings for Offshore Drilling Services for Oil and Gas Wells

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The action by the Civil Police in conjunction with the Public Ministry of Rio de Janeiro aims to fulfill 7 arrest warrants and 11 search and seizure warrants. The operation, called Sete Capitães, takes place in the capital, as well as in the municipalities of Macaé, Quissamã, Carapebus, Rio das Ostras, and Casimiro de Abreu, and in Rolândia, Paraná.

The Baron of Oil was arrested yesterday morning (11/05) in Espírito Santo by civil police from the Delegacy for the Defense of Delegated Services (DDSD) in Vila Velha and taken back to Rio.

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The gang is accused of causing a loss of approximately R$ 33 million by stealing around 14 million liters of oil between June 2015 and March 2017.

According to the Civil Police, Denilson, one of the most wanted criminals in Rio de Janeiro, did not have his own car, changed his name, and his family’s name in an attempt to hide.

“He didn’t even have a car. He used ride-sharing vehicles to avoid attracting attention. He lived in a simple apartment but led a luxurious life. In Espírito Santo, he owned six gas stations in various cities, all in the name of third parties,” said delegate Felipe Curi, head of the Specialized Police Department (DGPE).

Denilson had the image of a successful businessman and led a discreet life to avoid raising suspicions from local police. According to the Civil Police, all his wealth was acquired through the theft of fuel directly from Petrobras pipelines.

The agents located and arrested the Baron of Oil based on information from the Intelligence Sector and the Crime Stoppers hotline. On the Wanted Portal, the reward for information about his whereabouts was R$ 5,000.

Even while living in Espírito Santo, investigations showed that Maninho do Posto continued to exploit fuel theft from Petrobras pipelines in Baixada Fluminense.

— Although he moved a considerable amount of money through fuel theft, Denilson Pessanha led a discreet life and adopted a series of strategies to avoid attracting attention. He was so confident that he would not be located that he was surprised when my team and I arrived. He did not resist and spoke little. Before he enters the penitentiary system, I still want to hear him at the police station — said delegate André Leiras, head of the DDSD.

Petrobras Statement

Petrobras and the Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro signed a Cooperation Agreement on Friday morning (11/6) for the exchange of public safety intelligence information of mutual interest. The agreement will allow Petrobras to act more preventively in protecting and securing its facilities and its employees, especially concerning the fight against fuel theft in pipelines.