MANAUS, BRAZIL – The Integrated Task Force to Combat Organized Crime in Amazonas (FICCO/AM) launched Operation Torre 8 on Wednesday (July 8), executing two search and seizure warrants in Manaus as part of an investigation into a money laundering scheme linked to international drug trafficking.

The operation is being conducted simultaneously across 15 other Brazilian states. Nationwide, authorities are serving 93 arrest warrants, 180 search and seizure warrants, as well as other court-ordered precautionary measures.

According to the Federal Police, the investigation began after a man was caught in the act in September 2025 while withdrawing a large amount of cash from a bank branch in the Amazonas state capital.

Investigators subsequently found evidence indicating that the suspect allegedly used shell companies registered in his own name and in the names of third parties to move and conceal funds believed to have originated from a criminal organization involved in international drug trafficking.

The investigation also identified companies with no economic activity compatible with the volume of financial transactions they handled.

The Federal Police said the warrants executed on Wednesday are intended to advance the investigation, gather additional evidence on the criminal group's activities and identify other individuals who may have participated in the scheme.

Amazon Agency