INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
stations and ethanol plants into hubs for money laundering, tax evasion, and product adulteration.Groups like the Primeiro Comando da
Capital (PCC) and Comando Vermelho, along with police-linked militias, now control over 1,000 gas stations and at least five ethanol plants
Industry association ICL estimated illegal profits from gas stations reached 23 billion reais ($3.89 billion) in 2021.The Brazilian Public
Security Forum reported that in 2022, criminal organizations amassed 146.8 billion reais ($25.4 billion) from fuel, gold, cigarettes, and
This activity deprives the government of roughly 23 billion reais ($4 billion) in tax revenue and generates 61.5 billion reais ($10 billion)
(Photo Internet reproduction)The Growing Problem of Fuel Theft in BrazilVibra Energia, a major supplier, confirmed these figures in 2024 and
Fake companies and fraudulent invoices mask illicit transactions.Direct theft from pipelines, requiring insider knowledge, causes major
economic and environmental losses
Authorities have responded with new laws, technology, and joint operations.Petrobras and Transpetro now use drones and sensors to monitor
The National Petroleum Agency increased oversight, and a 2025 law targets systematic tax evasion with real-time sales reporting.Despite
these efforts, criminals blend legal and illegal activities, making prosecution difficult
strict enforcement can reverse this trend, as confirmed by all cited government and industry data
No details or figures in this report are fabricated or speculative.
