BRASILIA, June 1 - Brazil's government is in the final phase of preparing operations aimed squarely at organized crime activity tied to the online betting and tobacco sectors, a senior official with direct knowledge of the effort told government insiders on Monday. The official, who requested anonymity because discussions remain confidential, said the objective is financial disruption - depriving criminal groups of the revenue streams that sustain their operations.
The official described two main lines of alleged illicit activity: cigarette smuggling and the illegal sale of tobacco products, and the penetration of unlicensed betting sites that continue to function despite the existence of regulatory frameworks in Brazil. In both instances, the source said, criminals are believed to be routing funds through smaller financial entities, including fintech companies, as part of money-laundering schemes.
According to the source, the broader plan will not be altered in response to a recent decision by the United States to designate Brazil's two largest gangs as terrorist organizations. The official said that designation does not change the domestic strategy aimed at disrupting criminal finances through targeted enforcement actions.
On timing, the official emphasized that coordination with police forces, prosecutors and the judiciary remains necessary before any operations are launched. That requirement makes it impossible at present to set an exact start date. Still, the source stressed the readiness of authorities and warned:
"These operations could take place at any moment."
The plan, as described by the official, focuses on cutting cash flows rather than announcing sweeping structural reforms. Enforcement would concentrate on networks and channels alleged to be facilitating illegal tobacco distribution and the ongoing operation of unlicensed online betting platforms.
Financial conduits named by the source include small banks and fintech firms, which are said to be exploited by criminal actors for laundering proceeds. The official did not provide further operational specifics, citing the need to preserve confidentiality while coordinating with relevant law enforcement and judicial bodies.
Because the information remains limited and the operations have not been publicly launched, several details - including which legal instruments will be used and which entities may be targeted first - are still unresolved and subject to interagency planning. Authorities' emphasis, as conveyed by the source, is on depriving criminal organizations of the financial resources that enable their activity.