The past week was marked by a Federal Police operation in Rio de Janeiro that exposed allegations of links between political figures, senior police officials, fuel businesses and organized crime, while also generating electoral and institutional consequences. Former Belford Roxo mayor and newly elected state deputy Márcio Canella (União Brasil), former Civil Police chief Marcus Vinícius Amim Fernandes and four civil police officers were arrested in the eighth phase of Operation Unha e Carne. According to the Federal Police, the investigated network allegedly moved more than R$7.6 billion over six years through companies and fuel stations and maintained connections with the Comando Vermelho (CV). The case may affect Canella’s future in the Rio de Janeiro State Assembly.
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Operation Unha e Carne
On Thursday (15/10), the Federal Police arrested Canella, Marcus Amim and four civil police officers under preventive detention orders issued by Supreme Federal Court (STF) Justice Alexandre de Moraes. Six arrest warrants and 16 search-and-seizure warrants were executed in several municipalities across Rio de Janeiro state. The operation targets an organization suspected of corruption, money laundering and leaking confidential information about police actions.
The PF says the alleged laundering structure involved 112 companies, including 96 fuel stations, and moved more than R$7.6 billion in six years. Businesses registered to relatives and associates were allegedly used to conceal the real controllers and origin of the funds, with the fuel-station network serving as an important mechanism for receiving and legalizing criminal proceeds.
Canella and the Alleged Criminal Network
The Federal Police describes Canella as the alleged “political patron” and principal political intermediary of the organization, connecting public officials, the fuel-station network and armed groups. Investigators claim he interfered with oversight activities, favored associated companies in public bidding and maintained links with an organization connected to the Comando Vermelho. Intercepted conversations cited by investigators allegedly show contacts involving political figures and faction leaders, while a military police officer is accused of acting as an intermediary between criminal leaders and municipal interests.
Financial-intelligence data cited in the investigation indicate that Canella moved around R$2.6 million between May 2025 and April 2026 through a company jointly owned with businessman Bruno Viana de Souza, identified as the owner of a fuel-station network. Part of the money was allegedly transferred to relatives and political allies.
Marcus Amim and Police Protection
Marcus Amim, former head of the Rio Civil Police and president of Detran-RJ, is accused of providing institutional protection to the organization. The PF says his appointment facilitated the group’s activities and that associates were used as nominal business owners. A company formally linked to Amim reportedly received more than R$2 million from fuel networks under investigation.
Amim joined the Civil Police in 2002 and held several senior command positions before becoming police chief in October 2023 following political negotiations involving then-governor Cláudio Castro and then-Alerj president Rodrigo Bacellar. Investigators also allege irregularities during his period at Detran-RJ, including the contracting without competitive bidding of a towing company linked to the brother of a Canella political ally.
Canella’s Electoral Situation
Despite his arrest, Canella may still be formally certified as a state deputy on December 18 unless a judicial decision prevents it. He received 197,178 votes and was the second-most-voted candidate for the Rio de Janeiro State Assembly. His candidacy had already faced challenges over alleged militia links, but the TRE-RJ approved his registration by six votes to one, with related issues still pending before the TSE.
A possible cancellation of his candidacy could affect more than his own mandate because the election for state deputy uses proportional representation. According to the articles, invalidation could require a recalculation of votes and potentially alter the allocation of seats, although his arrest alone does not automatically prevent certification.
Analysis:
Operation Unha e Carne highlights the security risks created by the alleged penetration of criminal interests into public administration, policing, public contracts and electoral politics. Of particular concern are the PF’s allegations that political influence and senior law-enforcement positions were used to protect or facilitate a network connected to fuel businesses and armed criminal groups.
The case also has institutional consequences. Canella’s arrest may evolve into an electoral dispute capable of affecting his mandate and potentially the distribution of seats in the Rio de Janeiro State Assembly.
