PF investigation ends with three defendants, including fitness influencer Renato Cariani, for trafficking and money laundering
In addition to the influencer, two friends were indicted for involvement in crimes. The Federal Police accuses the group of using a company to issue false invoices for the sale of products to pharmaceutical multinationals, diverting inputs for the production of cocaine and crack destined for a criminal faction.
Renato Cariani, and his friends Fabio Spinola Mota and Roseli Dorth are accused of Trafficking and Money Laundering - Photo Reproduction/Internet
After ten months of investigations, the investigation conducted by the Federal Police (PF)ofSão Paulo reached its conclusionIn this month with three individuals indicted, including well-known fitness influencer Renato Cariani, for alleged involvement in trafficking crimes equivalent, association for drug trafficking and money laundering. The investigations, which began months ago, revealed that Cariani and two friends diverted chemicals to produce tons of drugs for drug trafficking.
Police investigation
Renato Cariani, known for his motivational videos and healthy living tips on social media, now faces serious accusations that go beyond his well-known fitness universe. The influencer, who has gained millions of followers over the years, had his name linked to a drug trafficking and money laundering scheme. The fitness influencer, with more than 7 million followers on Instagram, is a partner, alongside Roseli, at Anidrol Produtos para Laboratórios Ltda. The company, based in Diadema, Greater São Paulo, focuses on selling chemical products.
Cariani, and friends Fabio Spinola Mota and Roseli Dorth are accused by the PF of using a company to falsify sales invoices of products destined for pharmaceutical multinationals. However, these inputs were not actually sent to these companies; instead, were diverted to the production of cocaine and crack. As pointed out by the investigation, these substances fed an international criminal trafficking network led by criminal factions, such as the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC).
According to the Federal Police, There is evidence that both had knowledge and direct participation in a criminal scheme. The investigation claims to have obtained evidence of their involvement through judicially authorized telephone interceptions, which recorded conversations and exchanges of messages.
Fábio Mota and Renato Cariani - Photo Reproduction/Personal archive
Investigation Developments
The investigation points to Fabio as the person responsible for planning the transfer of inputs between Anidrol and trafficking. According to the Federal Police, he sent a false email in the name of an alleged employee of a multinational to continue the criminal plan. Previously, Fábio had already been the target of police investigations for drug trafficking in Minas Gerais and Paraná. According to authorities, a portion of the materials legally acquired by Anidrol was diverted to the production of narcotics in the period from 2014 to 2021.
To cover up the release of these products, the company issued approximately 60 false invoices and made deposits into "orange" accounts, misusing the names of AstraZeneca, LBS Laborasa and another company. The investigation indicated that, over six years, approximately 12 tons of acetone, hydrochloric acid, lidocaine hydrochloride, ethyl ether, phenacetin and mannitol were diverted. These substances are used by criminals to convert cocaine base paste into crack powder and rocks.
Trafficking and Money Laundering Accusations
The investigation began when the Federal Revenue identified suspicious deposits in excess of R$200,000 made by AstraZeneca for Anidrol, leading the Federal Police (PF) to take action. AstraZeneca refuted the allegation of having purchased products from the company linked to influencer Renato and his partner. Although the investigation identified other suspects in the scheme, There have been no indictments yet., as the PF waits to gather more evidence. Furthermore, the PF is looking for information about the subsequent commercialization of the drug and its possible buyers.
Last year, the PF conducted Operation Oscar Hinsberg, aiming to combat the criminal group. During the action, search and seizure warrants were executed at properties associated with the three suspects, authorized by the Federal Court. Electronic equipment and objects were seized and subjected to expert analysis. It is worth mentioning that Oscar Hinsberg, a chemist who identified the ability to convert chemical compounds into phenacetin, had this substance as the main diverted chemical input, as pointed out by the PF.
The investigation was carried out by the team of police chief Vitor Beppu Vivaldi, belonging to the Federal Police Drug Enforcement Office in São Paulo. In 2023, the police chief interrogated Renato and the other two suspects. Throughout the investigation, the PF requested the Court to arrest Renato, Fábio and Roseli, however, the request was denied by the Judiciary.
Next Steps and Judgment
The arrests of the three defendants were not requested during the investigation, resulting in all remaining at large. The Federal Police (PF) concluded the case and forwarded the results to the Federal Public Ministry (MPF), which has the prerogative to decide whether or not to file charges against the group for the crimes in question. The decision on whether the trio should face trial on possible charges will be left to the Federal Court. In case of conviction, the possibility of imprisonment will be considered.
The influencer's defense, through a statement, claimed that his indictment occurred hastily, more than 40 days before he had the opportunity to provide clarifications. The defense of Roseli Dorth, Cariani's partner, also contested the Federal Police's conclusions, considering them seriously mistaken. So far, Fábio Spinola Mota's defense has not commented.
