US Sanctions Brazilian Citizens and Companies for Alleged Money Laundering for PCC Crime Syndicate

(CNA, Sao Paulo, July 2, 115) - The US government announced today that it has imposed sanctions on two Brazilian citizens and three companies, accusing them of close ties to Brazil's largest criminal organization, the First Capital Command (PCC), and involvement in transnational money laundering activities.

This marks the first time the administration of US President Donald Trump has imposed economic sanctions on Brazilian individuals since designating the PCC and another gang, the Red Command (CV), as terrorist organizations.

According to reports from CNN Brazil and other media outlets, the US Treasury Department stated that the sanctioned Brazilians include Japanese-Brazilian businessman Victor Henrique de Oliveira Shimada and his associate Stella Stefanie Nunes Henrique de Oliveira.

The three sanctioned companies are Victory Trading, Wave Smart Construction Company, and Pixwave Payment Company. Additionally, a company in Portugal, Avenidas Flutuantes Unipessoal LDA, and an Ecuadorian criminal gang, Chone Killers, are also on the sanctions list.

According to reports, the US accuses Shimada of being a key contact for the PCC in Florida, laundering over $30 million (approximately NT$970 million) through cryptocurrency and transferring the funds back to Brazil. Stefanie Nunes Henrique de Oliveira is accused of being his "secretary," responsible for collecting large sums of cash and providing logistical support. The US Treasury Department emphasized that the PCC has become the "largest transnational criminal organization in the Western Hemisphere," and its activities within the United States pose a significant threat to national security.

Shimada has already been indicted in Brazil by prosecutors for his involvement in a sponsorship deal with the football club Corinthians. Investigations show that through Victory Trading and other shell companies, he transferred funds paid by sponsor VaideBet to the football agency UJ Football Talent, which is linked to the PCC, causing losses of at least 40 million Brazilian reais (approximately NT$290 million) to Corinthians. Brazilian prosecutors believe the club is a victim, but the US accuses Shimada of using the same structure for money laundering, drugs, and funds.

Reports indicate that the US sanctions mean that the assets of Shimada, Stefanie Nunes Henrique de Oliveira, and related companies in the United States will be frozen, and US citizens and companies are prohibited from conducting transactions with them. The Trump administration stated that this move is an important step in combating the PCC's expanding criminal network in the United States. (Editor: Chen Cheng-kung) 1150702

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