Police Operation “Smurfing”, launched this Monday morning (16/12/2024), mobilized the Civil, Military Police and the Fire Department in an integrated action to combat a criminal organization specializing in theft and illegal transfers via Pix .
The gang, which operated in Guarabira, in Brejo Paraíba, and also in the capital, João Pessoa, used firearms to approach victims, keep them incarcerated and force them to make transfers to various accounts linked to members of the group.
According to investigations, the gang has already caused more than R$500,000 in damage. During the operation, ammunition of different calibers, drugs, notebooks with notes linked to criminal activities and money from drug trafficking were seized. To date, five people have been arrested, and actions continue on the streets of Guarabira and João Pessoa.
The operation was called “Smurfing”, a term that refers to the practice of dividing deposits of illicit money into small amounts to make it difficult for authorities to identify financial movements. The action is coordinated by Delegate Walter Brandão, manager of the 8th Section in Guarabira.
This case reflects the growing use of digital tools, such as Pix, by criminal groups, demanding integrated and technological police strategies to combat this type of crime.
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