Federal Police Investigating Use of Brazilian Air Force Aircraft for Drug Trafficking

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – On Tuesday, February 2nd, the Federal Police (PF) triggered Operação Quinta Coluna (Operation Fifth Column), with the goal of advancing investigations into a “criminal association that used Brazilian Air Force (FAB) aircraft to carry drugs to Spain”. According to the Federal Police, investigations also cover “money laundering” involved with through this criminal activity.

In a note, the Federal Police reported that it is serving 15 search and seizure warrants, in addition to two other warrants “restricting communication between the individuals under investigation and their departure from the Federal District”. Also according to the PF, the Federal District Court ordered the seizure of real estate and vehicles of those involved in this criminal scheme.

“Investigations show that, in addition to the sergeant arrested in the city of Seville, Spain, other individuals were steadily and permanently associated with the officer to commit the crime of illegal drug trafficking, and evidence was brought to the court suggesting at least one more shipment of narcotics to Spain,” reads the PF note.

On the crime of money laundering, investigations point to “several strategies of the criminal group to conceal the proceeds from drug trafficking, in particular the purchase of vehicles and real estate through large payments in cash.”

The Brazilian Air Force reports that a military police inquiry had been opened to investigate the case of the sergeant arrested at Seville airport in Spain on June 25th, 2019, and that it “was completed in a timely manner”. “The case files were forwarded to the relevant Military Audit Office, which then referred them to the Military Prosecutor’s Office, which was in charge of lodging the complaint, and the criminal proceedings are underway, as provided in the Military Penal Procedure Code,” the FAB reported through its Press Office.

“The Brazilian Air Force and the Federal Police have worked together since the start of investigations and, today, the military assisted in the completion of the required efforts to pursue the investigation of crimes within the jurisdiction of this police force,” adds the note.