Civil Police launch operation against criminal faction that used bingos to launder money in MT

11 search and seizure warrants and three preventive arrest warrants were executed, in addition to precautionary measures of suspension of commercial activity, blocking of bank accounts and breach of banking secrecy against targets in the municipalities of Rondonópolis, Cuiabá, Várzea Grande and Tangará da Serra.

The court orders were decreed by the Justice 4.0 Center of the Judge of Guarantees – Polo Rondonópolis, based on investigations conducted by the Specialized Robbery and Theft Police Station (Derf) of Rondonópolis.

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Civil Police launches operation against criminal faction that used bingos to launder money in MT – PHOTO: PJC Those investigated are responsible for the crimes of being part of a criminal organization, money laundering, drug trafficking, association for drug trafficking, procedural fraud, entry or facilitation of entry of a telephone device into a prison, ideological falsehood, extortion and illegal possession of a permitted firearm.

Court orders

Among the precautionary measures determined by the Court is the suspension of the activities of a commercial establishment in Rondonópolis, where several events and shows were held.

The location functioned as a permanent headquarters for illegal bingo draws controlled by the criminal faction under investigation. The investigations also identified significant financial movements that were incompatible with the economic capacity declared by those responsible for the establishment.

Civil Police launches operation against criminal faction that used bingos to launder money in MT – PHOTO: PJC In view of the elements collected, which reinforce the evidence of the practice of money laundering, the suspension of the company's economic and financial activities, the sealing of the establishment and the seizure of the bingo machines, the bear machine and other equipment used in the exploitation of gambling were determined.

Investigation

The investigation initiated by Derf de Rondonópolis began after the seizure of a cell phone used by one of the perpetrators of a robbery and fire, which occurred on February 18, 2025, in a bakery located in the São Sebastião neighborhood, in Rondonópolis.

Civil Police launch operation against criminal faction that used bingos to launder money in MT – PHOTO: PJC The crime was committed by two armed men, who announced the robbery and then set fire to the bakery's premises. During the investigations, the two suspects were identified and had their respective preventive arrests ordered by the Court.

In May 2025, the two fugitives were approached by the Federal Highway Police carrying false identification documents. Both were traveling as passengers on an interstate bus that was traveling from Cuiabá (MT) to Rio de Janeiro (RJ).

At the time, the Federal Highway Police team seized the cell phones that were with the suspects, and the material was sent to Derf in Rondonópolis for the appropriate measures.

From the analysis of the content extracted from the cell phones, the police identified the existence of a faction cell operating in several municipalities in Mato Grosso.

Civil Police launches operation against criminal faction that used bingos to launder money in MT – PHOTO: PJC As determined, this is a criminal group that was involved in the crimes of drug trafficking, extortion, exploitation of gambling, procedural fraud and ideological falsehood.

Continuity

The efforts continue to conclude the investigations and finalize the police investigation, with the consequent indictment of those involved.

Integration

Teams from the Specialized Robbery and Theft Police Station (Derf) of Rondonópolis participated in Operation Adsumus, with support from the 1st Police Station of Tangará da Serra, the Management to Combat Organized Crime (GCCO) and the Specialized Police Station for the Repression of Organized Crime (Draco).

Civil Police launch operation against criminal faction that used bingos to launder money in MT – PHOTO: PJC