Brazilian Nationals Living in Orlando Plead Guilty in $30 Million PCC Money-Laundering Operation
By Hotspotnews July 4, 2026
Five Brazilian nationals residing in the Orlando, Florida area and one U.S. citizen have all pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy charges for laundering tens of millions of dollars in drug proceeds on behalf of Brazil’s powerful Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) criminal organization.
The case highlights how some Brazilian immigrants to the United States have allegedly used their presence in the country to facilitate sophisticated transnational money-laundering schemes tied to one of Latin America’s largest and most violent gangs.
The Florida-Based Operation
According to the U.S. Department of Justice and court documents from the Southern District of Florida, the group operated a cash-intensive laundering network from at least late 2022 through early 2025. Members picked up large amounts of bulk cash—primarily drug proceeds—from couriers across multiple U.S. states, deposited the money into bank accounts in a structured manner to avoid detection, and helped move the funds back toward Brazil, often through cryptocurrency channels linked to São Paulo-based operators.
The organization is accused of concealing more than $30 million in illicit cash.
All six defendants have now pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering, facing maximum penalties of up to 20 years in federal prison. Sentencing hearings are scheduled for August and September 2026.
The Individuals Involved
Here are the names and roles as described in court filings:
- Omar Aliperti De Mello Correa, 34, U.S. citizen residing in Orlando — served as a courier handling bulk cash pickups and deposits in various cities.
- Ygor Fokin Saviolli, 35, Brazilian national (alias “Boa Sorte”) — acted as a key facilitator, providing upfront funds and overseeing the receipt and laundering of cash proceeds.
- Gabriel Cezar Menezes, 29, Brazilian national (alias “Gabi Gol”) — served as a facilitator, coordinating couriers and personally handling multiple cash pickups.
- João Andrade De Mello, 29, Brazilian national — acted as a courier conducting pickups and deposits.
- Tadeu Sebastiane Rabelo Alves Barbosa, 30, Brazilian national — worked as a courier.
- Leandro De Avila Gonçalves, 42, Brazilian national — served as a courier.
The five Brazilian defendants were living in the Orlando area (described in some reports as undocumented immigrants). They used the U.S. as a base to collect and process cash generated from drug trafficking, then helped return the profits to the PCC in Brazil.60
The São Paulo Connection
The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned two São Paulo-based figures on July 1, 2026, as part of the same network:
Victor Henrique de Oliveira Shimada (“Japa”), a businessman who owned companies including Victory Trading, Pixwave Soluções de Pagamentos, and Wave Construções Inteligentes. U.S. authorities described him as a key link between the Florida operatives and international drug traffickers, allegedly laundering over $30 million via cryptocurrency back to Brazil for the PCC.
- Stella Stefanie Nunes Henrique de Oliveira (“Lara Croft”), Shimada’s relative and associate, who worked as his secretary and handled logistics such as bulk cash coordination.
Shimada’s companies were also sanctioned. He has been investigated in Brazil in connection with other financial matters, including a betting sponsorship scandal involving Sport Club Corinthians.
Immigration and Transnational Crime Angle
This case underscores a growing concern among U.S. law enforcement about foreign nationals, particularly from Brazil, entering or remaining in the United States to participate in organized crime activities. The defendants allegedly exploited their presence in Florida—a hub for Brazilian communities—to run a professional-grade laundering operation that spanned at least 8–12 U.S. states.
Instead of seeking legitimate employment, the group focused on high-volume cash handling and structured banking deposits, classic techniques used to “clean” drug money while minimizing red flags. The scheme relied on coordination via WhatsApp and a network of couriers who traveled to cities including Atlanta, Chicago, New York, and Tampa to collect and deposit funds.
Federal prosecutors and agencies such as the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations have increasingly targeted these cross-border networks, arguing that they allow violent foreign gangs like the PCC to profit from U.S. drug markets while operating with relative impunity from American soil.
Broader Context
The PCC, originally a São Paulo prison gang, has grown into a major transnational criminal organization involved in drug trafficking, extortion, and money laundering across the Americas and beyond. The U.S. government has designated the PCC as a significant threat and has ramped up sanctions and prosecutions in recent years.
While this particular cell has now been dismantled through guilty pleas, authorities expect further cooperation from the defendants to reveal additional links and participants. The case also coincides with broader U.S. efforts to disrupt foreign criminal networks operating inside the country.
Current Status: All six Florida defendants have pleaded guilty. Shimada remains a fugitive in Brazil, while Stella Stefanie was arrested by Brazilian authorities. Sentencing for the U.S. defendants will determine the length of their federal prison terms and potential deportation proceedings for the non-citizens.
This operation demonstrates how immigration status and cross-border mobility can be weaponized by organized crime groups to launder proceeds from the U.S. drug trade back to powerful criminal organizations abroad. Law enforcement continues to monitor similar networks.
Sources: U.S. Department of Justice press releases, U.S. Treasury OFAC designations, Southern District of Florida court documents (as of July 2026).