PF launches Operation Janus in Rio de Janeiro and Baixada Fluminense

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Note from the Federal Police – On the morning of this Wednesday, 3/20, the Federal Police, with support from the Comptroller General of the Union (CGU), launched Operation Janus to dismantle a criminal group suspected of rigging emergency tenders related to the purchase of equipment to combat COVID- 19.

In today’s action, around 50 federal police officers and 12 CGU auditors carry out 10 search and seizure warrants, issued by the 4th Federal Court of São João de Meriti/RJ, in homes, companies and offices linked to the criminal organization, in the municipalities of Rio de Janeiro, Duque de Caxias/RJ and Bom Jardim/RJ. Furthermore, the Federal Court ordered the seizure of assets and valuables totaling more than R$5 million.

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The PF investigation, which began in 2020, revealed irregularities in bidding exemption processes, which dealt with emergency purchases of equipment to combat COVID-19. Among the frauds investigated, the overpricing of contracts with the City of Duque de Caxias through shell companies stands out, with the use of interposed people who would also serve to hide the origin and destination of the amounts obtained illicitly.

Federal police officers are looking for new evidence, compliance with court orders and the decapitalization of the organization, aiming to expropriate illegally accumulated assets, assets and values, as well as preventing the restructuring of the criminal group.

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In addition to bidding crimes, those investigated will be charged with criminal association, embezzlement and money laundering.

Janus is a figure from Roman mythology, known as the god of beginnings, choices, passages and transitions. He is often depicted with two faces.