Police find illegal weapon at home of mayor targeted in health fund diversion probe

The mayor of Sebastião Barros, a small municipality in Piauí with fewer than 3,000 residents, has been arrested for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. Pablo Carvalho was detained by the Federal Police during a search and seizure operation targeting alleged diversions of health funds across several interior municipalities in the state.

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The charge was exclusively for illegal possession.

The operation, dubbed "Operação Expansão de Domínio," is a joint effort between the Federal Police and the Comptroller General of the Union (CGU). It aims to uncover fraud in public tenders, corruption, and money laundering linked to a company supplying hospital and dental materials to various Piauí municipalities. The investigation revealed indications of bid-rigging and illicit payments to public officials to favor the company in contracts.

During the operation, police found a .380 caliber pistol and ammunition at Carvalho's home, leading to his immediate arrest for illegal possession. Yure Saulo, the delegate in charge, stated that the charge was solely for the firearm offense. A bail of 40 minimum wages, approximately R$64,000, was set, and Carvalho was released after payment.

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I have collaborated with the authorities since the beginning of the action and remain at the disposal of Justice.

Carvalho has publicly stated his cooperation with authorities and denied any knowledge of irregularities in the tenders. He suggested the investigation might be politically motivated, stemming from opposition groups and a former councilman. The Federal Justice has suspended the investigated company's current public contracts and prohibited new ones during the investigation. Three public officials were also temporarily removed from their positions in Sebastião Barros, São Braz do Piauí, Bela Vista do Piauí, Corrente, and São Raimundo Nonato.

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All administrative procedures were conducted within the bounds of legality.