A police operation in Brazil today carried out 19 arrest warrants and 24 search and seizure warrants, blocking 480 million euros in financial investments from money laundered from illegal gambling, an official source said.
In addition, the Ministry of Justice said, Operation Integration, carried out by the Pernambuco Civil Police, seized 17 luxury cars, 38 vehicles, more than 100 properties, four planes and seven boats.
According to the authorities, from January 2019 to May 2023, more than 480 million euros were moved “in current accounts, financial investments and cash from illegal gambling”.
The authorities believe that the criminal organization used “event, advertising, exchange and insurance companies to launder money through deposits and bank transactions”.
The money was then laundered through cash deposits, “bank transactions between the investigated parties with the immediate withdrawal of the amount, the purchase of luxury vehicles, aircraft, boats, jewelry, luxury watches, as well as the acquisition of hundreds of properties,” they detailed.
According to the local press, one of those arrested is 36-year-old lawyer and digital influencer Deolane Bezerra, who is followed by more than 20 million people on Instagram alone.
According to the G1 portal, one of the search and seizure warrants was served at the apartment of the CEO of Esportes da Sorte, Darwin Henrique da Silva Filho, an online gaming and betting platform that sponsors some of the biggest clubs in Brazilian soccer, such as Corinthians, Athletico-PR, Bahia, Grémio and Palmeiras, which is coached by Portuguese coach Abel Ferreira.
