Quick Summary
- 1Federal Police arrested five suspects during Operation Ruptura, targeting a drug trafficking and money laundering network in the Amazon.
- 2The operation is a continuation of the previous Operation Linhagem, which had already dismantled part of the same criminal structure.
- 3The group used front companies, including gas stations and boat companies, to launder approximately R$300 million over three years.
- 4The criminal network involved former politicians, police officers, and a former court employee, with operations concentrated in three Amazonian municipalities.
Quick Summary
On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the Federal Police executed a major operation in the Amazon, arresting five individuals linked to a sophisticated criminal organization. The operation, named Operation Ruptura (Breakthrough), targeted a network deeply involved in drug trafficking and money laundering across key municipalities in the state.
The action represents a significant blow to a structure that had been under investigation for years, with authorities uncovering a complex web of illicit activities that extended into the region's economic and political spheres. The arrests and subsequent seizures provide a clear window into the scale and sophistication of organized crime in the Amazon.
The Operation
The Federal Police carried out four arrest warrants and executed search and seizure orders at the homes of the investigated individuals. During the operation, agents seized electronic equipment, digital media, and documents that will be analyzed by the forensic department. In a separate incident in Santo Antônio do Içá, one individual was arrested in the act for the illegal possession of a firearm.
The operation is a direct continuation of the previous Operation Linhagem, which was conducted in June 2025. That earlier phase had already resulted in 12 arrests, 30 search and seizure warrants, and two house arrest orders, signaling the authorities' sustained effort to dismantle this specific criminal structure.
The criminal group's operational scope was extensive, with activities concentrated in three specific Amazonian municipalities:
- Santo Antônio do Içá
- Tonantins
- Manaus
According to the investigation, the group utilized river routes and regional co-optation mechanisms to circulate their illicit products, primarily cocaine and a type of marijuana known as skunk.
"The group operated mainly in the trafficking of cocaine and skunk marijuana, using river routes and regional co-optation mechanisms for the circulation of illicit goods."— Federal Police Investigation
Criminal Structure
The suspects were assigned specific roles within the criminal organization, creating a division of labor that enhanced their efficiency and reach. The investigation identified individuals responsible for drug negotiation, logistical coordination, and the supply of narcotics. A critical component of their operation was the use of front companies to mask money laundering activities.
The group's financial operations were vast, with estimates suggesting the organization moved approximately R$300 million over a three-year period. To launder these funds, the criminals employed several legitimate-looking businesses.
The primary methods for laundering money included:
- Gas stations
- Boat companies
- A front company used by a family unit
The investigation also revealed the use of "straw men" (laranjas), including wives and domestic employees, to move illicit funds. Part of these resources may have been used to finance political campaigns, indicating the organization's infiltration into institutional structures.
Key Individuals
The investigation's primary targets were members of a single family, consisting of a father, three sons, and their wives. This family unit allegedly used a front company specifically to launder money derived from drug trafficking. The network's reach, however, extended beyond this core group to include individuals in positions of public trust.
Among those investigated are:
- Two former city council members
- Active and former civil police officers
- A former employee of the Amazonas Court of Justice (TJAM)
The involvement of former officials and law enforcement personnel highlights the depth of the criminal organization's connections within the state's institutional framework, complicating the investigative and judicial process.
Financial Impact
The dismantling of this network represents a significant financial disruption to organized crime in the region. Beyond the immediate seizure of assets and the arrest of key operators, the operation targets the very mechanism that allows such large-scale criminal enterprises to function and grow.
By attacking the financial infrastructure—through the identification of front companies and the network of straw men—the Federal Police aim to cripple the group's ability to reinvest in its illicit activities. The analysis of seized documents and digital media is expected to reveal further financial flows and potentially identify additional assets tied to the organization.
The group operated mainly in the trafficking of cocaine and skunk marijuana, using river routes and regional co-optation mechanisms for the circulation of illicit goods.
This operation underscores the ongoing challenge of combating organized crime that has deeply embedded itself within the economic and social fabric of the Amazon region.
Looking Ahead
The conclusion of Operation Ruptura marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle against organized crime in the Amazon. With five suspects now in custody and a wealth of evidence seized, the focus shifts to the judicial process and the potential for further revelations from the ongoing analysis of the collected data.
The case highlights the sophisticated methods used by modern criminal organizations, which blend traditional drug trafficking with complex financial schemes to launder money and influence local institutions. As the investigation continues, authorities will likely pursue additional leads that could uncover a broader network of complicity and financial corruption.
The success of this operation sends a strong message about the capabilities of the Federal Police in tracking and dismantling complex criminal structures, even in remote and challenging regions like the Amazon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Operation Ruptura is a Federal Police action that resulted in the arrest of five suspects involved in drug trafficking and money laundering in the Amazon. It is a continuation of the previous Operation Linhagem, which began dismantling the same criminal network in 2025.
The group used front companies, including gas stations and boat businesses, to mask illicit financial operations. They also employed 'straw men,' such as wives and domestic employees, to move funds, and may have used some resources to finance political campaigns.
The investigation primarily targeted a family unit consisting of a father, three sons, and their wives. Additionally, the network included two former city council members, active and former civil police officers, and a former employee of the Amazonas Court of Justice.
The criminal organization is estimated to have moved approximately R$300 million over a three-year period. This massive financial movement was facilitated by their network of front companies and straw men across the Amazon region.
