Brazil Charges Slain Paraguayan Congressman’s Son With Drug Trafficking

Brazil’s Federal Public Ministry has charged Alexandre Rodrigues Gomes, son of a slain Paraguayan congressman, with transnational drug trafficking and money laundering, alleging he coordinated cocaine flights from Andean countries via Paraguay to Brazil, managed clandestine airstrips, and laundered proceeds through FRG Constructora S.A. The case, tied to prior MPF operations “Hinterland” and “Balkans,” references Sky ECC encrypted chats and purported links to a Balkan crime group moving drugs to Europe. Gomes’ lawyer argues the evidence—largely messages—does not substantiate the charges, while Brazil seeks his extradition and continued preventative detention.