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Brazil Launches Operation Targeting Footballers Suspected of Drug and Weapons Trafficking
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Sports

Brazil Launches Operation Targeting Footballers Suspected of Drug and Weapons Trafficking

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Newswire Official statement Under investigation
  • Brazilian police launched Operation A Tropa against a group suspected of trafficking drugs and weapons and having links to a criminal faction.
  • Officers carried out four arrest warrants and 15 search warrants across Espírito Santo, Goiás, the Federal District and Rio de Janeiro.
  • Footballers linked to Vasco da Gama, Vila Nova and Azuriz were among the operation’s targets, although clubs said some players denied involvement or were not implicated.

Police in Brazil have launched an operation targeting footballers and agents suspected of involvement in a drug and weapons trafficking network with alleged links to a criminal faction.

David Corrêa da Fonseca, a forward for Vasco da Gama, was among the targets, according to O Globo. Police searched his home in Rio de Janeiro and seized mobile phones and documents before carrying out a search at Vasco’s training center. Hayner, a fullback on loan from Santos to Vila Nova in Goiás, also had his home and club locker searched.

a childhood friendship with one of those investigated for drug trafficking, who came from the same community where the player grew up, in Espírito Santo

— Vila NovaThe club said this relationship may explain suspicions involving Hayner.

Vila Nova said Hayner denied any connection to the case. The club said the suspicions appeared to stem from “a childhood friendship with one of those investigated for drug trafficking, who came from the same community where the player grew up, in Espírito Santo”. The club added that the neighborhood was also connected to other footballers targeted in the operation.

has no involvement in the reported events

— AzurizThe club denied reports that Renyer Oliveira was implicated in the investigation.

Initial reports from G1 and GloboNews said Renyer Oliveira, a Santos academy graduate now playing for Azuriz in Paraná, was also involved and had been detained for disobedience during the police action. Azuriz rejected that account, saying Renyer “has no involvement in the reported events” and was training normally.

Police are executing four arrest warrants and 15 search warrants in Espírito Santo, Goiás, the Federal District of Brasília and Rio de Janeiro. Nearly 100 civil police officers from several states are taking part in Operation A Tropa. Vasco said it was cooperating with investigators and awaiting the conclusion of the inquiry. Vila Nova also said it remained available to police and described Hayner as professional and compliant with his sporting duties.

cooperates with the authorities and awaits the conclusion of the investigations

— Vasco da GamaThe club described its position after police searched the player’s home and training facilities.
About this summary

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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