EXCLUSIVE: Brazilian Police Officer Promoted Despite Arms Trafficking Charges

An OCCRP report details how Brazilian Federal Highway Police officer Vagner Keith de Freitas, indicted in Operation Dismantle for alleged illegal arms trafficking, participation in a criminal organization, and money laundering, remained on active duty and was promoted despite pending charges. Investigators allege he sourced weapons in Paraguay and sold them via a São Paulo gunsmith to clients tied to organized crime in Paraíba, while he and his wife moved funds far exceeding his salary; both deny wrongdoing as confidential disciplinary and judicial proceedings continue.