The court denies Cláudio Schüller's request and sees evidence of money laundering.

Tocantins 247 - Federal Judge João Paulo Abe, of the Regional Federal Court of the First Region, denied a request for the return of R$ 55 seized by the Justice system, made by the Municipal Secretary of Planning and Human Development of the City of Palmas, Cláudio Schüller. The federal judge's decision denying the request for restitution is dated September 10th. The secretary was the target of a Federal Police operation in September and October 2016, when searches and seizures were carried out at his residence. According to information released at the time, he allegedly possessed several unregistered firearms. In analyzing the request, Judge João Paulo Abe confirmed there was evidence suggesting that the seized funds were proceeds from money laundering.

"In this case, the investigation is looking into the possible illegal sale of restricted weapons, such as rifles and machine guns of high market value, and there are also indications that the acquisition of weapons was the means used by the suspect to launder money," said the magistrate.

According to the judge, when requesting the restitution, the head of the department argued that the seized amounts were not obtained through illegal means, were not instruments used in the commission of a crime, or intended for a criminal purpose. According to Schüller, the money would be necessary, as proof of an infraction, because it had no relation to the facts investigated in the inquiry that resulted in its seizure, namely, illegal possession of restricted caliber weapons.