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Fraud

Historic Operations Against Organized Crime in Brazil's Fuel Sector: Quasar, Tank, and Hidden Carbon

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Brazilian authorities have launched the largest operations against organized crime in the fuel sector, resulting in the execution of over 400 warrants, the freezing of R$3.2 billion in assets, and the seizure of approximately R$140 billion in illicit funds. The operations, dubbed Quasar, Tank, and Hidden Carbon, are a direct result of the creation of the Organized Crime Combat Center, established in January 2025 to integrate efforts between different Federal Government agencies.

The Quasar operation aims to dismantle a criminal organization specializing in money laundering and fraudulent management of financial institutions, with evidence of links to criminal factions. The investigation uncovered a sophisticated scheme that used investment funds to conceal illicit assets, freezing over R$1.2 billion in assets and valuables. The Tank operation focuses on dismantling one of the largest money laundering networks ever identified in Parana, with suspects moving over R$23 billion through a network of hundreds of companies. Operation Hidden Carbon aims to dismantle a sophisticated fraud, tax evasion, and money laundering scheme in the fuel sector, with warrants served on over 300 targets and the judicial freezing of over R$1 billion in assets.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 400 warrants were executed across eight states, including six arrest warrants and hundreds of searches and seizures.
  • The operations resulted in the freezing and seizure of over R$3.2 billion in assets and valuables, including R$1.2 billion in assets and valuables frozen in the Quasar operation.
  • Investigations indicate that the groups moved approximately R$140 billion in illicit funds, constituting one of the largest offensives ever undertaken against organized crime in the fuel sector.
  • The Quasar operation aims to dismantle a criminal organization specializing in money laundering and fraudulent management of financial institutions, with evidence of links to criminal factions.
  • The Investigations also revealed fraudulent practices in fuel sales, such as gasoline adulteration and so-called "low pump" (lower than stated volume of fuel).
  • Operation Hidden Carbon involves the participation of the Public Prosecutor's Office of Sao Paulo, the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office, the Civil and Military Police, the Secretariat of Finance and Planning of Sao Paulo, the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP), the Attorney General's Office of the National Treasury and the Attorney General's Office of the State of Sao Paulo.

Statistics:

  • Over 400 warrants were executed, including six arrest warrants and hundreds of searches and seizures.
  • The operations resulted in the freezing and seizure of over R$3.2 billion in assets and valuables.
  • Investigations indicate that the groups moved approximately R$140 billion in illicit funds.
  • The Quasar operation froze over R$1.2 billion in assets and valuables.
  • The Tank operation suspects moved over R$23 billion through a network of hundreds of companies.
  • Operation Hidden Carbon involved the participation of over 300 targets and the judicial freezing of over R$1 billion in assets.

Sources:

  • Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MJSP)
  • Federal Police (PF)
  • Ministry of Finance
  • Federal Revenue Service
  • The Guardian News
  • https://www.gov.br/mj/pt-br/assuntos/noticias/operacoes-quasar-tank-e-carbono-oculto-desarticulam-esquemas-bilionarios-de-lavagem-de-dinheiro-e-fraudes-no-setor-de-combustiveis

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