Head of the CV logistics center in AM is arrested in an operation investigating trafficking in tampered planes

PF operation targets organization that used adulterated planes in drug trafficking Appointed by the Federal Police (PF) as one of the heads of the logistics nucleus of Comando Vermelho (CV) in Amazonas, Wellisson dos Santos Albarado was arrested in Manaus this Thursday (13), during Operation La Máquina. According to investigations, Wellisson spent most of his time in Rio de Janeiro, from where he sent orders and coordinated the activities of the criminal group in Amazonas. He was located and arrested by agents while executing the operation's warrants. Operation La Máquina was launched by the PF and the Special Action Group to Combat Organized Crime (Gaeco), from the Public Ministry of Amazonas (MPAM), to investigate a criminal organization linked to the CV suspected of operating in interstate drug trafficking and money laundering. ? Join the g1 AM channel on WhatsApp In total, 43 court orders were served in Amazonas and in seven other states: Tocantins, Roraima, Pará, Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba, Ceará and Santa Catarina. Until the last update of this report, 10 people had been arrested. g1 contacted Wellisson dos Santos Albarado's defense, who informed that he will only comment on the case after having access to the investigation. Role in the scheme According to the investigation, Wellisson held a leadership position within the group's logistics structure in Amazonas. Even though he was in Rio de Janeiro, he would have maintained control over activities carried out in the state, including the logistics for transporting and distributing drugs. Head of CV's logistics center in Amazonas, Wellisson dos Santos Albarado, is arrested in an operation investigating trafficking with tampered planes Reproduction/Rede Amazônica According to the investigation, the group used small planes and clandestine runways to transport drugs from the Amazon region. Aircraft were used to transport drugs to other regions of the country. To maintain the operation, there was a structure responsible for financing, hiring and piloting the planes, as well as maintenance and supply services. After transportation, the drugs were stored and distributed through logistics that also used river and land transport. The investigations also showed that at least one aircraft had its identification tampered with. The group would also have purchased and financed planes to expand the structure used to transport narcotics. Money laundering After moving the money obtained from trafficking, the group adopted strategies to hide the origin of the funds, according to the investigation. Among the practices identified are the use of shell companies, fractional deposits and transfers, transactions carried out by third parties and the acquisition of goods in the name of intermediaries. The researchers also identified investments in real estate, vehicles, boats, shopping centers and other ventures in Manaus. The organization generated more than R$35 million from the activities investigated. According to the PF, the amounts were moved by individuals and legal entities linked to those investigated and considered incompatible with the declared economic activities. Investigations During the work, the Federal Police carried out an aerial interception in the municipality of Tefé, in the interior of Amazonas. The investigation also identified the crash and disappearance of a plane belonging to the group in an area close to the border with Venezuela. Blocking of assets In addition to the arrests and searches, the Court ordered the seizure of assets and the blocking of approximately R$7.7 million in financial assets. Among the assets affected are: 31 vehicles, valued at around R$3 million; two shopping centers, located in the Novo Aleixo and Tancredo Neves neighborhoods, both in Manaus; approximately R$7.7 million in financial assets, which were blocked in the accounts of those being investigated. Name of the operation The name "La Máquina" refers to the expression used in the communications investigated to designate the aircraft used to transport drugs. The term was used in conversations related to the so-called "freight" of narcotics. Weapons and money seized in Manaus during Operation La Máquina Reproduction/Rede Amazônica Trailer truck seized in Manaus during Operation La Máquina Reproduction/Rede Amazônica Motorcycle seized in Manaus during Operation La Máquina Reproduction/Rede Amazônica Another motorcycle seized in Manaus during Operation La Máquina Reproduction/Rede Amazônica Jewelry and weapons seized in Ceará during Operation La Máquina Reproduction/Rede Amazônica 40 thousand reais seized in Tocantins during Operation La Máquina Reproduction/Rede Amazônica