Brazilian Federal Police investigate R$ 60 million fraud in BR-156 highway contracts in Amapá.
Operation Route 156 targets DNIT (National Department of Transport Infrastructure) employees and business owners accused of simulating competition and diverting federal public funds.
247 - The Federal Police, with the support of the Comptroller General of the Union in Amapá (CGU/AP), launched Operation Route 156 this Tuesday (22), with the aim of deepening investigations into an alleged criminal scheme of bid rigging and embezzlement of federal funds linked to maintenance contracts for the BR-156 highway, in the state of Amapá.
According to the corporation, investigations point to the operation of a criminal organization established within the Regional Superintendence of the National Department of Transport Infrastructure (DNIT/AP). The group allegedly manipulated at least four electronic auctions, totaling more than R$ 60 million, through fraud that compromised the competitive nature of the bidding processes.
The joint investigation between the Federal Police and the Comptroller General's Office (CGU) identified evidence of simulated competition with fictitious bids and the imposition of restrictive clauses in the bidding documents, as well as deliberate omissions by public servants who should have been overseeing the contracts. The practice aimed to benefit pre-selected companies.
The Federal Court authorized the execution of 11 search and seizure warrants in four states: six in Amapá, three in Minas Gerais, one in Amazonas, and one in Mato Grosso do Sul. Precautionary removals, for ten days, were also ordered for the superintendent of DNIT in Amapá and a female employee of the agency, both suspected of active participation in the scheme.
Furthermore, the 4th Federal Court of the Judicial Section of Amapá ordered the freezing of assets and funds belonging to the investigated parties in the amount of R$ 8,06 million. This amount corresponds to financial transactions considered atypical and cash withdrawals made during the investigated period.
Those under investigation may face charges including bid rigging, organized crime, malfeasance, breach of professional secrecy, influence peddling, and money laundering.
During the execution of the warrants, the Federal Police seized three pistols, a 5.56 caliber rifle, and approximately 250 rounds of ammunition in Macapá. The suspect is registered as a CAC (hunter, shooter, and collector), but the agency informed that it will begin the process of revoking his registration.
At another address, in the municipality of Nova Lima (MG), agents located three Porsche vehicles, 13 works of art attributed to Guignard and Portinari, as well as jewelry and luxury watches.
