Rifle capable of downing helicopter is seized in operation investigating trafficking with tampered planes in AM

PF operation targets organization that used adulterated planes in drug trafficking A high-powered rifle, capable of hitting aircraft and piercing armor, was seized by the Federal Police (PF) during Operation La Máquina, launched this Thursday (13) against a criminal organization linked to Comando Vermelho (CV) in Amazonas. The operation investigates a group suspected of operating in interstate drug trafficking and money laundering. According to the PF, the organization used small planes, pilots and clandestine runways to transport drugs from the Amazon to other regions of the country. 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. ? Join the g1 AM channel on WhatsApp Among those arrested is Wellisson dos Santos Albarado, identified by investigations as head of the logistical nucleus of the criminal organization in Amazonas. According to the Federal Police, he spent most of his time in Rio de Janeiro, from where he sent orders and coordinated the group's activities in the state. g1 contacted Wellisson dos Santos Albarado's defense, who informed that he will only comment on the case after having access to the investigation. The action is carried out by the PF and the Special Action Group to Combat Organized Crime (Gaeco), of the Public Ministry of Amazonas (MPAM). More than 100 federal police officers participate in the operation. Rifle The weapon was found in Manaus during the execution of the operation's warrants. The weapon is considered to have high firepower and has the ability to hit aircraft and pierce armor. The seizure occurred as part of the investigation into the logistical structure used by the group to transport drugs. In addition to the rifle, other weapons, a trailer truck, motorcycles and amounts of money were also seized during the operation, but until the last update of this report, the Federal Police had not yet released a final balance of all the seizures made. A rifle capable of downing a helicopter is seized in an operation investigating trafficking with tampered planes in AM Reproduction/Rede Amazônica How the scheme worked 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. Weapons and money seized in Manaus during Operation La Máquina Reproduction/Rede Amazônica Money laundering After moving the money obtained from drug trafficking, the group adopted strategies to hide the origin of the resources, 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. 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/Amazon Network