Brazilian Police Show What Really Laundered Money Looks Like (3 photos)

The Santa Catarina Civil Police seized approximately 400,000 reais in cash (approximately 65,000 euros) during Operation Rescaldo, an operation targeting money laundering by cartel members. Some of this money was literally laundered to remove mold.





During the search, police discovered that some of the banknotes were drying on a drying rack in the shower, while another batch was found in a suitcase.

The investigation revealed that the criminals had been hiding the money for so long that the bills in the hiding place had become moldy. To clean the bills, the suspects decided to literally launder them.

After cleaning, they hung the bills out to dry. It was not specified whether any cleaning agents were used.

During the special operation, police arrested a 22-year-old man who was caught red-handed for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.



In total, police units executed 20 court orders issued by the Concordia Regional Court of Guarantees, including 14 search and seizure warrants in the cities of São Lourenço do Oeste (Santa Cruz state), Romelândia (Santa Cruz state), Joinville (Santa Cruz state), and São Francisco do Sul (Santa Cruz state).

The gang laundered assets worth more than 10 million reais (approximately €1.6 million) by purchasing real estate, roads, and cars in cities in western Santa Catarina and southwestern Paraná.

To prevent further embezzlement, police froze the bank accounts of eight suspects.