USA arrest Brazilians in operation against arms and drug trafficking linked to the CCP

United States officials arrested 18 Brazilian citizens during an operation against a transnational criminal organization involved in arms trafficking and narcotics.

The action, entitled “Take Back America”, was conducted after a year of investigations and identified direct connections of the group with the Capital’s first command (CCP), as well as ties with local gangs.

The operation was performed in several cities in the state of Massachusetts, including Boston, Framingham, Malden and Marlborough.

According to information released by the United States Department of Justice, detainees performed various functions within the group’s structure, such as drug trafficking and illegal distribution of weapons.

Authorities reported that, during the operation, 110 firearms, ammunition and unspecified quantities of fentanil were seized, a synthetic substance used as a narcotic and considered high risk.

The drug has been pointed out by US authorities as one of the main vectors of the increase in overdoses in the country.

Of the total of Brazilians arrested, 12 were in an irregular migratory situation. Investigations indicated that the group was related to gangs acting in US territory, including the “seven troop” and the “bullet train”.

According to the Justice Department, these connections made the logistics of drug distribution and illegal arms trade in different regions of the state.

Federal prosecutor Leah Foley said the accused were part of a structured network with a presence in local communities. “These individuals participated in a criminal organization that infiltrated US communities,” he said.

United States’s interim director of immigration and customs, Patricia Hyde, has also commented on the operation. According to her, the group’s performance represented a direct threat to public safety. “The operation dismantled a criminal network with international ties that operated within the US territory,” he said.

Accusations against prisoners involve arms trafficking, drug trafficking, criminal association and violation of migratory laws. Expected penalties include up to 15 years in prison and fines that can reach $ 250,000 per accused. After compliance with the penalties, the detainees shall be subjected to deportation proceedings.

Investigations were conducted by a task force composed of agents of the Justice, Immigration and Customs Department of Justice, the US Federal Police (FBI) and local public security departments. The actions of surveillance, interception and mapping of contact networks occurred over 12 months.

The Justice Department reported that the group operated in a segmented manner, with division of tasks between suppliers, intermediaries and distributors. Seized weapons include pistols, rifles and restricted weapons, as well as porters and other accessories. Part of the weaponry was registered with adulterated or suppressed numbering.

The origin of the seized Fentanil is still under investigation. The drug has been widely tracked by US authorities for its relationship with international trafficking routes, including entry through terrestrial and sea borders. The substance has a high degree of concentration and, according to the authorities, small quantities are sufficient to cause overdose deaths.

In addition to the arrests, search warrants were executed in homes and commercial establishments linked to the group. The agents seized documents, electronic equipment, amounts in cash and records that should subsidize new stages of the investigation.

Local authorities stressed that the operation was articulated based on monitoring suspicious activities, anonymous reports and data sharing between security agencies. The task force will remain in activity to identify other members and eventual branches of the organization.

The US government has stressed that combating transnational criminal organizations remains among the priorities of public security policy. According to the Justice Department, actions integrated with international agencies have been intensified to interrupt the flow of weapons and drugs in the country.

To date, the names of the detainees have not been officially disclosed. The Justice Department reported that legal proceedings will follow regular proceedings, with a formal presentation of accusations before federal courts. The defense of the accused will be guaranteed in accordance with the applicable legal rules in the US judicial system.

The “Take Back America” operation will be kept ongoing with focus on new targets and possible disarticulated connections. Authorities do not rule out new arrests in the coming months.