Third Generation Gangs Strategic Note No. 52: Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) Cell Suspected of Using Evangelical Churches as Fronts for Money Laundering
John P. Sullivan, José de Arimatéia da Cruz, and Robert J. Bunker
The Ministério Público do Rio Grande do Norte (MPRN)—public prosecutor’s office in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil—launched Operação Plata (Operation Plata) on Tuesday, 14 February 2023 to investigate money laundering related to drug trafficking by a suspected leader of the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC). The cell investigated laundered money through multiple means. Most notably, their laundering efforts including establishing evangelical churches as front operations.
Operação Plata (Operation Plata) uncovers Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) money laundering scheme operating in at least seven evangelical churches. Source: Ministério Público do Rio Grande do Norte, 14 February 2023.
Key Information: Josmar Jozino, “Chefe do PCC abriu 7 igrejas evangélicas com dinheiro do tráfico, diz MP.” UOL. 14 February 2023, https://noticias.uol.com.br/colunas/josmar-jozino/2023/02/14/chefe-do-pcc-abriu-7-igrejas-evangelicas-com-dinheiro-do-trafico-diz-mp.htm?cmpid=copiaecola:
O preso Valdeci Alves dos Santos, 51, o Colorido, apontado como integrante do alto escalão do PCC (Primeiro Comando da Capital), é acusado de lavar R$ 23 milhões provenientes do tráfico de drogas para abrir sete igrejas evangélicas e comprar imóveis, fazendas e rebanhos bovinos.
Segundo o MPRN (Ministério Público do Rio Grande do Norte), Colorido, o irmão dele Geraldo dos Santos Filho e a mulher de Geraldo abriram ao menos sete igrejas evangélicas no território potiguar e no estado de São Paulo.[1]
Key Information: “Casal apontado como membro de facção abriu ao menos sete igrejas evangélicas para lavar dinheiro do tráfico, diz MP.” G1 (Globo). 15 February 2023, https://g1.globo.com/sp/sorocaba-jundiai/noticia/2023/02/15/casal-apontado-como-membro-de-faccao-abriu-ao-menos-sete-igrejas-para-lavagem-de-dinheiro-diz-mp.ghtml:
Geraldo dos Santos Filho e Thais Cristina de Araújo Soares se declaram fundadores e pastores de igreja evangélica. Eles foram presos em Sorocaba (SP) e são investigados por integrarem uma das maiores organizações criminosas do país.
O casal preso em Sorocaba (SP) apontado como membro de uma associação criminosa abriu ao menos sete igrejas evangélicas para lavar dinheiro do tráfico de drogas, de acordo com o Ministério Público do Rio Grande do Norte. Geraldo dos Santos Filho e Thais Cristina de Araújo Soares foram presos nesta terça-feira (14), durante a operação Plata.
A investigação do MP apontou que o esquema é liderado por um homem do Rio Grande do Norte, identificado como Valdeci Alves dos Santos, conhecido como Colorido. Valdeci, irmão de Geraldo, foi condenado pela Justiça de São Paulo e já estava preso na Penitenciária Federal de Brasília, onde foi cumprido novo mandado de prisão nesta operação.
Segundo o MP, Valdeci é o segundo maior chefe de uma facção criminosa que surgiu nos presídios paulistas e que tem atuação em todo o Brasil e em países vizinhos. Há pelo menos duas décadas, os irmãos mantêm o esquema de lavagem de dinheiro, tendo como participantes seus irmãos, filhos, sobrinhos e comparsas fora da família, informou o MP.
Ainda conforme a polícia, Geraldo e Thais se autodenominavam fundadores e pastores da igreja [A Igreja Assembleia de Deus Para as Nações]. Todas teriam sido abertas através de "laranjas". Os promotores suspeitam que a associação criminosa, da qual o casal faz parte, tenha movimentado mais de R$ 23 milhões.[2]
Key Information: “Ministério Público investiga lavagem de dinheiro em sete igrejas no RN.” Agora RN. 14 February 2023, https://agorarn.com.br/ultimas/ministerio-publico-investiga-lavagem-de-dinheiro-em-sete-igrejas-no-rn/:
A operação Plata, deflagrada nesta terça-feira 14 pelo Ministério Público do Rio Grande do Norte (MPRN), apura o crime de lavagem de dinheiro proveniente do tráfico de drogas por parte de integrantes de uma facção criminosa. O grupo lavava o dinheiro com a compra de imóveis, fazendas, rebanho bovino, automóveis, abertura de mercados e até com a fundação de igrejas evangélicas.
O principal investigado na operação é Valdeci Alves dos Santos. Ele é originário da região Seridó do Rio Grande do Norte e é apontado pelo Ministério Público de São Paulo, em ação separada, como liderança do Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), facção criminosa que surgiu nos presídios paulistas e que tem atuação em todo o Brasil e em países vizinhos. Valdeci já estava preso na Penitenciária Federal de Brasília.
No Rio Grande do Norte, ele tem como maior aliado o irmão Geraldo dos Santos Filho, conhecido por Pastor Júnior. Segundo as investigações do MPRN, há pelo menos duas décadas os dois mantêm o esquema de lavagem de dinheiro, tendo como participantes seus irmãos, filhos, sobrinhos e comparsas fora da família.[3]
Key Information: “PCC compra igrejas? Por que templos são usados para lavar dinheiro.” BOL Notícias do UOL. 17 February 2023, https://www.bol.uol.com.br/noticias/2023/02/17/por-que-o-crime-usa-igrejas-para-lavar-dinheiro.htm?cmpid=copiaecola:
Um dos líderes do PCC, uma das maiores facções criminosas do país, é acusado de comprar ao menos sete igrejas evangélicas para lavagem de dinheiro. Os templos — assim como imóveis e negócios de gado — teriam sido usados para esconder pelo menos R$ 23 milhões vindos do tráfico de drogas.
A lavagem de dinheiro em igrejas é atraente por ser difícil localizar a origem de seu sustento. O advogado Caio Zuanetti, especializado em direito empresarial, explicou ao UOL que instituições religiosas costumam receber doações periódicas sem ser necessária a identificação do doador, o que facilita o caminho de quem deseja esconder ganhos ilegais.[4]
Key Information: “Operação do MPRN em oito Estados e no DF apura associação criminosa e lavagem de dinheiro proveniente de tráfico de Drogas.” Ministério Público do Rio Grande do Norte. 14 February 2023, https://www.mprn.mp.br/noticias/operacao-do-mprn-em-oito-estados-e-no-df-apura-associacao-criminosa-e-lavagem-de-dinheiro-proveniente-de-trafico-de-drogas/:
O Ministério Público do Rio Grande do Norte (MPRN) deflagrou nesta terça-feira (14) a operação Plata. O objetivo é apurar a lavagem de dinheiro proveniente do tráfico de drogas e de integrantes de facção criminosa. A suspeita é de que o grupo criminoso tenha lavado mais de R$ 23 milhões com a compra de imóveis, fazendas, rebanhos bovinos e até com o uso de igrejas.
A operação Plata cumpriu sete mandados de prisão e outros 43 de busca e apreensão nos Estados do Rio Grande do Norte, São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso do Sul, Santa Catarina, Bahia, Ceará e Paraíba, e ainda no Distrito Federal. A ação teve o apoio da Polícia Militar potiguar e dos Ministérios Públicos de cada Estado onde houve cumprimento de mandados e, ainda, do Departamento Penitenciário Nacional (Depen). Ao todo, participaram nacionalmente do cumprimento dos mandados 48 promotores de Justiça, 56 servidores e ainda 248 policiais.
As investigações que culminaram na deflagração da operação Plata foram inciadas em 2019, com o objetivo de apurar o tráfico de drogas e associação para o tráfico de drogas, além do crime de lavagem de dinheiro. O esquema é liderado por Valdeci Alves dos Santos, também conhecido por Colorido. Valdeci é originário da região do Seridó potiguar e é apontado como sendo o segundo maior chefe do Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), facção criminosa que surgiu nos presídios paulistas e que tem atuação em todo o Brasil e em países vizinhos…
… O dinheiro do grupo é proveniente do tráfico de drogas. O lucro do comércio ilegal era lavado com a compra de imóveis, fazendas, automóveis, na abertura de mercados e até com o uso de igrejas. Segundo já apurado pelo MPRN, Geraldo dos Santos Filho e a mulher dele abriram pelo menos sete igrejas evangélicas. A ação cumpriu mandados de busca e apreensão em algumas dessas igrejas.
Segundo já apurado pelo MPRN, Geraldo dos Santos Filho e a mulher dele abriram pelo menos sete igrejas evangélicas nos estados do Rio Grande do Norte e de São Paulo. A ação cumpriu mandados de busca e apreensão em algumas dessas igrejas.[5]
Third Generation Gangs Analysis
This case is the latest linking territorial gangs or criminal factions in Brazil with exploitation of religious institutions with criminal enterprises. In this case, Operação Plata, conducted by the Ministério Público do Rio Grande do Norte (MPRN), implicates members of the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) or First Capital Command. Specifically, Valdeci Alves dos Santos a PCC leader from the Seridó region of Rio Grande do Norte and his brother Geraldo dos Santos Filho, known as Pastor Júnior are identified as suspects in a money laundering enterprise. The enterprise is alleged to have opened at least seven churches in the states of Rio Grande do Norte and São Paulo to launder the illicit income. Valdeci was already incarcerated in the Federal Penitentiary in Brasilia. The PCC is a prison-street gang complex founded in the prisons of São Paulo.[6]
Previous PCC money laundering cases have involved the interaction of criminal governance and the illicit economy with the gangs using medical and dental clinics as venues for money laundering.[7] In Rio de Janeiro, evangelical bandits (bandidos evangélicos) or gangsters linked to evangelical Christian sects, have attacked the terreiros (temples of the traditional, syncretic spiritual traditions Macumba, Umbanda and Candomblé) linked to Afro-Brazilian religions.[8]. In addition, an Evangelical trafficker (Traficante Evangélico) known as Peixão (Big Fish) created a “complex of five favelas: Cidade Alta, Vigário Geral, Parada de Lucas, Cinco Bocas, and Pica-Pau known as the ‘Complexo de Israel’ (Israel Complex or Network of Israel).”[9] Peixão employed confessional violence to control this territory.[10] Later on, the Peixão Facçãobuilt a bridge over a Rio de Janeiro canal to elude police surveillance.[11] These factors all demonstrate the challenges of criminal governance and enhance their ability to exercise territorial control.[12]
Sources
“Casal apontado como membro de facção abriu ao menos sete igrejas evangélicas para lavar dinheiro do tráfico, diz MP.” G1 (Globo). 15 February 2023, https://g1.globo.com/sp/sorocaba-jundiai/noticia/2023/02/15/casal-apontado-como-membro-de-faccao-abriu-ao-menos-sete-igrejas-para-lavagem-de-dinheiro-diz-mp.ghtml.
Josmar Jozino, “Chefe do PCC abriu 7 igrejas evangélicas com dinheiro do tráfico, diz MP.” UOL. 14 February 2023, https://noticias.uol.com.br/colunas/josmar-jozino/2023/02/14/chefe-do-pcc-abriu-7-igrejas-evangelicas-com-dinheiro-do-trafico-diz-mp.htm?cmpid=copiaecola.
“Ministério Público investiga lavagem de dinheiro em sete igrejas no RN.” Agora RN. 14 February 2023, https://agorarn.com.br/ultimas/ministerio-publico-investiga-lavagem-de-dinheiro-em-sete-igrejas-no-rn/.
“Operação do MPRN em oito Estados e no DF apura associação criminosa e lavagem de dinheiro proveniente de tráfico de Drogas.” Ministério Público do Rio Grande do Norte. 14 February 2023, https://www.mprn.mp.br/noticias/operacao-do-mprn-em-oito-estados-e-no-df-apura-associacao-criminosa-e-lavagem-de-dinheiro-proveniente-de-trafico-de-drogas/.
“Operação Plata: MPRN investiga lavagem de dinheiro em igrejas.” Ministério Público do Rio Grande do Norte. 14 February 2023, https://www.mprn.mp.br/noticias/operacao-plata-mprn-investiga-lavagem-de-dinheiro-em-igrejas/.
“PCC compra igrejas? Por que templos são usados para lavar dinheiro.” BOL Notícias do UOL. 17 February 2023, https://www.bol.uol.com.br/noticias/2023/02/17/por-que-o-crime-usa-igrejas-para-lavar-dinheiro.htm?cmpid=copiaecola.
Endnotes
[1] In English, the title reads: PCC boss opened 7 evangelical churches with drug money, says MP.” The text reads: “The prisoner Valdeci Alves dos Santos, 51, aka Colorido, pointed out as a high ranking member of PCC (First Command of the Capital), is accused of laundering R$ 23 million from drug trafficking to open seven evangelical churches and buy real estate, farms and cattle herds.” […] “According to the MPRN (Public Ministry of Rio Grande do Norte), Colorido, his brother Geraldo dos Santos Filho and Geraldo's wife opened at least seven evangelical churches in the Potiguar territory and in the state of São Paulo.”
[2] In English, the title reads: “Couple appointed as faction members opened at least seven evangelical churches to launder drug money, says MP [Ministério Público].” The text reads: “Geraldo dos Santos Filho and Thais Cristina de Araújo Soares claim to be founders and pastors of an evangelical church. They were arrested in Sorocaba (SP) and are investigated for being part of one of the largest criminal organizations in the country.” […] “The couple arrested in Sorocaba (SP) appointed as a member of a criminal association opened at least seven evangelical churches to launder money from drug trafficking, according to the Public Ministry [Prosecutor’s Office] of Rio Grande do Norte. Geraldo dos Santos Filho and Thais Cristina de Araújo Soares were arrested on Tuesday (14), during operation Plata.” […] “The MP's investigation pointed out that the scheme is led by a man from Rio Grande do Norte, identified as Valdeci Alves dos Santos, known as Colorido. Valdeci, Geraldo's brother, was convicted by the Justice of São Paulo and was already imprisoned in the Federal Penitentiary of Brasilia, where a new arrest warrant was served in this operation.” […] “According to the Public Prosecutor's Office, Valdeci is the second biggest boss of a criminal gang that emerged in the São Paulo prisons and is active all over Brazil and in neighboring countries. For at least two decades, the brothers have maintained the money laundering scheme, with their brothers, sons, nephews, and associates outside the family participating, the MP said.” […] “According to the police, Geraldo and Thais called themselves founders and pastors of the [The Assembly of God for the Nations Church]. All the churches were opened through ‘laranjas’ (or ‘ornaments’). The prosecutors suspect that the criminal association, of which the couple is part, has moved more than $ 23 million.”
[3] In English, the title reads: “Public Ministry investigates money laundering in seven churches in RN.” The text reads: ”Operation Plata, launched on Tuesday 14 by the Public Ministry of Rio Grande do Norte (MPRN), investigates the crime of money laundering from drug trafficking by members of a criminal gang. The group laundered the money by buying real estate, farms, cattle, cars, opening markets and even founding evangelical churches.” […] “The main investigated in the operation is Valdeci Alves dos Santos. He comes from the Seridó region of Rio Grande do Norte and is pointed out by the Public Ministry of São Paulo, in a separate action, as the leader of the First Command of the Capital (PCC), a criminal faction that emerged in São Paulo's prisons and is active throughout Brazil and in neighboring countries. Valdeci was already imprisoned in the Federal Penitentiary in Brasília.” […] “In Rio Grande do Norte, his biggest ally is his brother Geraldo dos Santos Filho, known as Pastor Júnior. According to MPRN's investigations, for at least two decades the two have maintained the money laundering scheme, with their brothers, sons, nephews, and associates outside the family participating.”
[4] In English, the title reads: “PCC buys churches? Why temples are used to launder money.” The text reads: “One of the leaders of the PCC, one of the largest criminal factions in the country, is accused of buying at least seven evangelical churches for money laundering. The temples - as well as real estate and cattle businesses - were allegedly used to hide at least R$23 million from drug trafficking.” […] “Money laundering in churches is attractive because it is difficult to trace the origin of the money. Caio Zuanetti, a lawyer specialized in business law, explained to UOL that religious institutions usually receive periodic donations without the need to identify the donor, which facilitates the path of those who wish to hide illegal gains.”
[5] In English, the title reads: “MPRN operation in eight states and the Federal District investigates criminal association and money laundering from drug trafficking.” The text reads: “The Public Ministry of Rio Grande do Norte (MPRN) launched Operation Plata on Tuesday (14). Its goal is to investigate money laundering from drug trafficking and criminal faction members. It is suspected that the criminal group has laundered more than $ 23 million by buying real estate, farms, cattle herds and even using churches.” […] “Operation Plata served seven arrest warrants and 43 search and seizure warrants in the states of Rio Grande do Norte, São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso do Sul, Santa Catarina, Bahia, Ceará and Paraíba, and in the Federal District. The action had the support of the Potiguar Military Police and the Public Prosecutor's Offices of each state where warrants were served, and also the National Penitentiary Department (Depen). In all, 48 public prosecutors, 56 public servants and 248 police officers participated nationally in the execution of the warrants.” […] “The investigations culminating in the launch of Operation Plata began in 2019, with the aim of investigating drug trafficking and association for drug trafficking, in addition to the crime of money laundering. The scheme is led by Valdeci Alves dos Santos, also known as Colorido. Valdeci is originally from the Seridó region of Potiguar and is appointed as the second biggest boss of the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), a criminal faction that emerged in São Paulo prisons and is active throughout Brazil and in neighboring countries.’ […] “The group's money comes from drug trafficking. The profits from the illegal trade were laundered through the purchase of real estate, farms, automobiles, the opening of markets, and even through the use of churches. According to the MPRN, Geraldo dos Santos Filho and his wife opened at least seven evangelical churches. The action has served search and seizure warrants in some of these churches.” […] “As already established by the MPRN, Geraldo dos Santos Filho and his wife opened at least seven evangelical churches in the states of Rio Grande do Norte and Sao Paulo. The action served search and seizure warrants in some of these churches.”
[6] “Ministério Público investiga lavagem de dinheiro em sete igrejas no RN.” Agora RN. 14 February 2023, https://agorarn.com.br/ultimas/ministerio-publico-investiga-lavagem-de-dinheiro-em-sete-igrejas-no-rn/.
[7] John P. Sullivan, José de Arimatéia da Cruz, and Robert J. Bunker, “Third Generation Gangs Strategic Note No. 28: PCC Exploits Medical and Dental Clinics to sustain Criminal Governance in Greater São Paulo.” Small Wars Journal. 11 July 2020, https://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/third-generation-gangs-strategic-note-no-28-pcc-exploits-medical-and-dental-clinics.
[8] Robert J. Bunker, John P. Sullivan and José de Arimatéia da Cruz, “Third Generation Gangs Strategic Note No. 6 - Holy War in Rio’s Favelas: Bandidos Evangélicos (Evangelical Bandits).” Small Wars Journal. 15 November 2017, https://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/third-generation-gangs-strategic-note-no-6-holy-war-rios-favelas-bandidos-evangelicos; Ana Keila Mosca Pinezi and Andrew Chesnut, “Sacking the Saints – Pentecostal Persecution of Religious Rivals in Brazil.” Patheos. 11 May 2011, https://www.patheos.com/blogs/theglobalcatholicreview/2021/05/sacking-the-saints-pentecostal-persecution-of-religious-rivals-in-brazil/; and Ana Keila Mosca Pinezi and Andrew Chesnut, “Pentecostal Gangs in Rio de Janeiro Ratchet Up Their Persecution of Afro-Brazilian Religions under President Bolsonaro.” Patheos. 29 August 2019, https://www.patheos.com/blogs/theglobalcatholicreview/2019/08/pentecostal-gangs-in-rio-de-janeiro-ratchet-up-their-persecution-of-afro-brazilian-religions-under-president-bolsonaro/.
[9] John P. Sullivan, Robert J. Bunker, and José de Arimatéia da Cruz, “Third Generation Gangs Strategic Note No. 30: Traficante Evangélico (Evangelical Trafficker) Creates ‘Complexo de Israel’ Using Confessional Violence to Consolidate Control in Five Rio Favelas.” Small Wars Journal. 4 August 2020, https://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/third-generation-gangs-strategic-note-no-30-traficante-evangelico-evangelical-trafficker.
[10] Ibid.
[11] John P. Sullivan, José de Arimatéia da Cruz, and Robert J. Bunker, “Third Generation Gangs Strategic Note No. 44: Peixão Facção Builds a Canal Bridge to Elude Police and Consolidate Criminal Governance.” Small Wars Journal. 27 November 2021, https://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/third-generation-gangs-strategic-note-no-44-peixao-faccao-builds-canal-bridge-elude-police.
[12] John P. Sullivan, “The Challenges of Territorial Gangs: Civil Strife, Criminal Insurgencies and Crime Wars.” Revista do Ministério Público Militar (Brazil), Edição n. 31, November 2019.
For Additional Reading
John P. Sullivan and Robert J. Bunker, Editors, Competition in Order and Progress: Criminal Insurgencies and Governance in Brazil. Bloomington: Xlibris, 2022.
John P. Sullivan, Robert J. Bunker, and José de Arimatéia da Cruz, “Third Generation Gangs Strategic Note No. 30: Traficante Evangélico (Evangelical Trafficker) Creates ‘Complexo de Israel’ Using Confessional Violence to Consolidate Control in Five Rio Favelas.” Small Wars Journal. 4 August 2020.
John P. Sullivan, José de Arimatéia da Cruz, and Robert J. Bunker, “Third Generation Gangs Strategic Note No. 28: PCC Exploits Medical and Dental Clinics to sustain Criminal Governance in Greater São Paulo.” Small Wars Journal. 11 July 2020.
Robert J. Bunker, John P. Sullivan and José de Arimatéia da Cruz, “Third Generation Gangs Strategic Note No. 6 - Holy War in Rio’s Favelas: Bandidos Evangélicos (Evangelical Bandits).” Small Wars Journal. 15 November 2017.
John P. Sullivan and Robert J. Bunker, “Rethinking insurgency: criminality, spirituality, and societal warfare in the Americas.” Small Wars & Insurgencies, Vol., 22, No., 5, 2011: Criminal Insurgencies in Mexico and the Americas: The Gangs and Cartels Wage War, pp. 742-763.
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