São Paulo state prosecutors say civil police officers helped build a protection network for the First Capital Command (PCC), Brazil’s most powerful prison-born criminal organization, as part of an alleged corruption and money-laundering scheme. The allegation appears in final prosecution arguments in a criminal case involving 11 defendants, based on single-source reporting from Revista Oeste, which cited CNN Brasil.
The São Paulo Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP-SP) says the alleged scheme promoted the PCC’s interests from 2018 onward. Prosecutors are seeking R$40 million in collective and social moral damages from each defendant, for a total of R$440 million, roughly USD 80 million at recent exchange rates.
What Prosecutors Allege
The case is led by Gaeco, São Paulo’s special prosecutorial unit for combating organized crime. According to the prosecution filing described by Revista Oeste, public agents played an essential role in the faction’s objectives by using their positions inside the Civil Police to serve criminal interests.
Prosecutors allege the officers acted as a protective network for PCC leaders, promoters and financiers. Investigators also described crimes allegedly committed by officers from the Department of Homicide and Personal Protection between 2015 and 2023, including the theft of luxury watches from people under investigation.
The filing says police officers also leaked confidential information and kept open channels with the PCC’s leadership. Those allegations remain claims by prosecutors in a criminal proceeding; the defendants’ final defense arguments are still pending.
The Gritzbach Link
The complaint was accepted by a court in February 2025. The case includes financial intelligence reports and a plea-bargain statement from businessman Vinícius Gritzbach, who became known in Brazilian media as the “PCC whistleblower.”
Gritzbach was killed in November 2024 at Guarulhos International Airport, São Paulo’s main international airport. The source article states that his cooperation helped support the investigation into the alleged police protection and money-laundering network.
Prosecutors say illicit funds were hidden through what they called the “crime economy,” including purchases of real estate and luxury vehicles and the creation of shell companies. Among the civilian defendants is Ahmed Hassan Saleh, described by prosecutors as a financial operator for the PCC and suspected of involvement in a proposal to kill Gritzbach.
What Comes Next
The Public Prosecutor’s Office requested the full acquittal of one police chief initially cited in the case, citing lack of evidence. It also asked for two other officers to be acquitted of specific charges, including criminal association, while maintaining other accusations.
All seven civil police officers who remain defendants are still suspended from duty. According to São Paulo’s Public Security Secretariat, six are being held in the institution’s own prison while internal affairs investigations continue.
The criminal case is under seal at São Paulo’s 1st Court for Tax Crimes, Criminal Organizations and Money Laundering. After defense lawyers submit their final arguments seeking acquittal, the judge is expected to issue a final ruling.