SAO PAULO, Brazil: Prosecutors in Rio de Janeiro said on July 15 that 22 people have been charged with running a sophisticated money-laundering network for Brazilian criminal groups, as police carried out raids in the states of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.
The Organized Crime Special Action Group (GAECO) said the network moved millions of reais through newly created shell companies. It used methods such as structured deposits and hired accountants to hide the origin of illegal money.
Local media, including CNN Brasil and the news portal G1, reported that the group was suspected of laundering money for three different criminal gangs.
When asked about these reports, the Public Prosecutor’s Office said the investigation was still ongoing and kept under seal to identify additional suspects.
Prosecutors also said that some of the suspects were Lebanese nationals.
