OAB-SP requests transfer or house arrest to Deolane after visiting prison

The Laboratory of Technology Against Money Laundering (LAB-LD), a specialized unit within the Department of Intelligence of the São Paulo Police Civil (Dipol), has uncovered 69,000 suspicious bank accounts linked to money laundering activities involving approximately R$9.6 billion over the course of last year. This significant discovery was made possible through advanced analytical techniques and detailed financial tracking conducted by the LAB-LD, which operates on the 18th floor of the São Paulo Police Palace in the city's central region. The unit produced 130 technical reports in 2025 based on its analysis of these accounts. One such report served as the foundation for investigations leading to the seizure of more than R$327 million, the confiscation of 17 luxury vehicles, and four real estate properties.

These findings were instrumental in supporting the recent Operation Vérnix, which took place last month. The operation was initiated due to suspicions that a front company was being used to launder money for the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), one of Brazil’s most notorious criminal organizations. As part of this operation, the lawyer and social media influencer Deolane Bezerra was arrested. The investigation also identified several individuals associated with the PCC, including Marcos Willian Herbas Camacho, known as Marcola, who is considered the leader of the organization, his brother Alejandro Herbas Camacho Júnior, and Everton de Souza, who is believed to have acted as a financial operator in the scheme. Additionally, Leonardo Alexsander Ribeiro and Paloma Sanches, both nephews of Marcola, were also named in the indictment, although they are currently at large.

The legal proceedings against Deolane Bezerra and others have been supported by the Public Prosecutor's Office, which submitted a formal accusation against them. According to the indictment, between 2018 and 2025, the accused operated a network designed to conceal and reintegrate illicit funds obtained by the PCC into the formal economy. The primary method employed by the group was through the use of a company called Lopes Lemos Transportes Ltda., commonly referred to as Transportadora Lado a Lado. This company received orders from Marcola and another suspect to distribute earnings among other members of the network.

According to the investigation, Deolane would receive fractional deposits from the transport company, using her personal accounts to obscure the origin of the funds. It is alleged that she planned to restructure companies and transfer them to foreign-based funds, effectively facilitating the laundering of money derived from PCC members. Another member of the group was responsible for overseeing financial transactions and acting as an intermediary. Relatives of Marcola reportedly received portions of the illegal income under his direction, distributing the funds according to instructions from the organization's leadership.

Deolane's defense team has denied the allegations, stating that the filing of the indictment does not represent any conclusion regarding the investigated facts. They emphasized that this is merely an initial step in the judicial process and that Deolane will defend herself against the accusations in court. Similarly, the legal representatives of Marcola, his brother, and their two nephews have stated that they will challenge the charges of organized crime and money laundering attributed to the defendants.

The São Paulo State Secretary of Security, Osvaldo Nico Gonçalves, highlighted the importance of the LAB-LD in advancing investigations. He noted that the laboratory provides critical support to police departments and specialized units, enabling them to trace illicit funds. With criminals increasingly developing methods to hide the origins of illegally acquired assets, the work of this specialized team has been crucial in identifying irregularities and initiating actions against such activities.

Since April, a decree issued by the General Police Directorate has required police units to report the measures taken following the technical reports generated by the laboratory. These measures include the initiation of inquiries, arrests, asset seizures, and the recovery of funds. This directive underscores the growing emphasis placed on utilizing technological capabilities to combat financial crimes effectively.

The arrest of Deolane Bezerra has reignited discussions about her association with the PCC and her role in the alleged money laundering scheme. Images of her alongside President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva have circulated online, prompting further scrutiny of her connections. Deolane maintains that she was merely acting as a lawyer for Marcola and that her arrest occurred while she was performing her professional duties. However, the prosecution continues to pursue evidence linking her to the broader criminal network.

The Brazilian Bar Association of São Paulo (OAB-SP) has requested either a transfer to a more suitable facility or house arrest for Deolane, citing concerns about the conditions of her current detention at the Tupi Paulista prison. The OAB-SP argues that the prison environment is unsuitable for someone who is also a licensed attorney, emphasizing the need to uphold professional rights as stipulated by law. The association has also noted that a disciplinary process is underway concerning potential violations of ethical standards related to Deolane's practice of law. This case highlights ongoing debates around the balance between legal accountability and the protection of professional rights in the justice system.