Uncovering a Corruption Stash: Police Force Discovers R$ 14 million Stashed in Server within a Prefecture
The Federal Police of Brazil launched an operation named "Estafeta" on August 14, 2025, targeting an investigation into corruption and money laundering crimes linked to a criminal organization with suspected influence in the São Bernardo do Campo municipal administration in São Paulo state.
The operation included two preventive arrests, 20 search and seizure warrants, and measures such as removal from public office, and monitoring of bank and fiscal secrecy across São Paulo, São Bernardo do Campo, Santo André, Mauá, and Diadema.
The investigation started in July 2025 after Federal Police seized R$14 million in cash from a public servant suspected of involvement in the criminal group. The operation focused on several suspects, including São Bernardo do Campo's mayor Marcelo de Lima Fernandes, who was removed from office and subjected to electronic monitoring.
Besides the mayor, involved parties include municipal public servants and business people linked to companies contracting with the municipality. Businessmen Edmilson Carvalho and Caio Fabbri were arrested in flagrante, with large sums of cash seized from their residences. Another public servant, Antonio Rene da Silva, director within the municipal government, was also arrested.
The suspects are being investigated for crimes including participation in a criminal organization, active and passive corruption, and money laundering. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities continuing to gather evidence through enforced legal actions accompanying the operation.
This operation reflects an ongoing crackdown by the Federal Police to combat corruption and money laundering in municipal administrations. The main targets of the operation include Mayor Marcelo de Lima Fernandes, the president of the São Bernardo City Council, businessmen, and public servants. The investigation began following the seizure of a significant amount of cash, specifically R$ 14 million.
- Due to operations like "Estafeta," a collaborative effort between Brazil's Federal Police and other authorities, the general public is witnessing a widespread crackdown on corruption and money laundering, with the focus on politics and crime-and-justice, particularly in the case of the recent investigation targeting a suspected criminal organization influencing the São Bernardo do Campo municipal administration.
- The ongoing probe, which started in July 2025 with the seizure of R$14 million in cash, has led to arrests of individuals such as the mayor, Marcelo de Lima Fernandes, businessmen Edmilson Carvalho and Caio Fabbri, and public servant Antonio Rene da Silva, all of whom are now facing charges related to crimes such as participation in a criminal organization, active and passive corruption, and money laundering.
