PF arrests suspect of heading illegal migration scheme that generated R$45 million
Polícia Federal arrested four people in Goiás this Thursday (7) in an operation against a criminal organization of illegal migration to Estados Unidos. Maria Helena of Sousa Netto Costa, one of the detainees, is identified as leader of one of the groups investigated. Segundo the corporation, it would have handled R$45 million in illicit operations. The five suspected groups in total moved R$240 million between 2018 and 2023.
Maria Helena was located and arrested at her residence in Goiânia. The investigation against her began in 2022, when a group of migrants were intercepted at Congonhas airport and mentioned her name to agents. Três other people were also captured in the capital of Goiás for their involvement in the scheme. No Amapá, two heads of the organization were not located and were included in the Interpol list.
Operação against illegal migration
Polícia Federal’s investigation estimates that more than 600 people may have fallen victim to the scheme over more than 20 years. Cada migrant paid US$20,000 (approximately R$108,000 at current exchange rates) to illegally join Estados Unidos. The seized documents indicate that approximately 500 people have already been transported by the group through the clandestine route Brasil-Estados Unidos.
The suspects acted in a structured manner, organizing all the logistics of the trips. Eles coordinated the departure of Brasil, passing through countries such as México and Panamá, until arriving on US territory. Integrantes of the organization were distributed in different Brazilian states and also abroad.
Segundo the corporation, those involved were responsible for specific functions:
- Suporte logistical operation
- Recepção of migrants on the routes
- Intermediação financial illicit payments
- Operação of shell companies and orange accounts
- Esquemas money laundering
Esquema financial and communications
Investigadores from PF had access to message exchanges between Maria Helena and customers who contracted the service. In one of the intercepted conversations, she argued about the effectiveness of her route: the path she offered had a 97% success rate, while other options only achieved a 70% success rate. The suspicion justified the price charged for guaranteeing arrival at the final destination.
The messages show direct negotiations about transportation. Maria Helena guided migrants on the land route through México and Panamá, informing that the route was long but guaranteed. Ela claimed to know the route personally and was confident in the effectiveness of the route it offered to customers.
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Financial operations went through complex concealment systems. Polícia Federal identified the systematic use of shell companies, bank accounts in the name of third parties and transfers that disguised the criminal origin of the money. The amounts were moved in a fragmented manner to avoid detection by financial control bodies.
Contexto familiar and official response
Maria Helena is the mother-in-law of Goiás’s governor, Daniel Vilela. In an official statement, the governor stated that he and his wife, Iara Netto Vilela, are not being investigated in this case. Segundo your note, the facts investigated date back to the mid-2000s and have no relationship with your management or the state administration.
Maria Helena’s defense disputed the need for preventive detention. Lawyers argued that she did not present a risk to public order or a risk of flight. Informaram who are awaiting full access to the procedural records for technical analysis of the accusations. The defense stated that measures for his release are already underway with Poder Judiciário.
Investigação and accusations
The suspects face formal charges for promoting illegal migration, money laundering and criminal organization. The investigation focused mainly on the period between 2018 and 2023, when the main financial movements tracked occurred.
The members arrested in Goiânia are investigated as local operators of the criminal network. Suas identities have not been disclosed by Polícia Federal. The agency estimated that the criminal structure remained active for more than two decades, expanding its operations as customer demand for clandestine routes for the Estados Unidos increased.
