Donations sent from the United States to help families affected by floods in Rio Grande do Sul in 2024 ended up being diverted and sold at thrift stores in Serra Gaucha, according to the state’s public ministry. This practice was the goal of Operation Ascaris, launched on Thursday (4/12) by the Special Action Group against Organized Crime (Gaeco/MPRS).
Investigations indicate that clothes, diapers and utensils sent from the United States and by companies in Sierra were sent to an NGO, but instead of being delivered to displaced families, they were resold.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office identified signs of money laundering, illicit enrichment using “frauds” and the receipt of payments by BEX on behalf of third parties. Part of the money could have been used to buy cars, an apartment and other goods.
“The public interest is much higher than the individual interests of those being investigated, who exploited people’s pain for financial gain,” said Attorney General Manuel Figueiredo Antunes, in charge of the investigation. According to him, some of the suspects posted acts of solidarity on social media during the floods.
Search and seizure warrants
The operation executed eight search and seizure warrants in Caxias do Sul, São Marcos and Boa Vista do Sul, in addition to freezing two million Brazilian reals in bank accounts. Eight people are being investigated, three of them from the same family, and one company.
Two people were arrested for selling prohibited medicines along with clothes that should have been donated.
In total, 70 boxes of products intended for the victims were confiscated, including baby bottles, clothes and toothbrushes. After obtaining judicial permission, these items will be referred back for donation.
complaint
The investigation began after a complaint was sent to the Consulate General of Brazil in Miami, warning against the sale of imported clothes – some of them from well-known brands – that should have been intended for those affected by the flood.
By collecting documents, media and mobile phones, the aim is now to identify other possible parties involved and calculate how much was moved illegally.
Gaico State Coordinator, Attorney General Andre Dal Molin, confirmed that the operation was carried out in partnership with the State Civil Defense and seeks to hold those investigated accountable, in addition to recovering the embezzled assets.