Investigation into PCC ties in transportation reaches all concessionaires of neighborhood bus lines in SP

The Civil Police and MP-SP (São Paulo Public Prosecutor's Office) investigation into the infiltration of the PCC (Primeiro Comando da Capital) into São Paulo's public transportation system covers all concessionaires operating the distribution lines serving neighborhoods across the state capital.

The information is contained in the petition that gave rise to Thursday's (17th) operation, which targets former city councilman and former City Council president Milton Leite (União Brasil) with an arrest warrant. Fifteen other people were arrested, and 18 addresses were subject to search and seizure.

The only local lines not under suspicion of links to the PCC are the former Transwolff routes, which are now under the direct responsibility of the state-owned SPTrans following the termination of the company's contract with the city hall. That measure was taken precisely due to suspicions of the company's ties to the criminal faction.

São Paulo's public transportation system is divided into three lots. The first requires large vehicles and connects major axes of the city. The second, known as regional articulation, covers medium-sized buses linking neighborhoods to corridors. The third, smaller lot, covers only neighborhood lines.

It is in this last category that the companies suspected of maintaining relations with the faction are found.

The São Paulo City Hall said in a statement that it had created a working group to analyze the elements of the investigation and that it "is rigorously examining contracts, documents and any possible links to the facts being investigated in the operation." It also stated that it "does not condone any irregularities and will continue to cooperate fully with the competent authorities."

In total, ten concessionaires operate the third-lot lines. The petition that gave rise to Thursday's operation also mentions another company, UpBus, but its contract is no longer in force.

The company did not answer phone calls made on Thursday afternoon.

According to police and the MP-SP, UpBus and the other companies operating local lines are connected to the PCC to varying degrees.

In the case of the former Transcap, now called Auto Bless, the Public Prosecutor's Office states that the link comes through a partner who has been remanded in custody on charges of extortion and ties to the criminal faction.

Contacted by phone on Thursday afternoon, the company asked that the press reach out again on Friday (18th).

Transunião, in turn, was the target of an operation in the first half of this year investigating the crimes of extortion, money laundering and the murder of its former director Adauto Soares Jorge.

The operation against Transunião culminated in the arrest of city councilman Senival Moura (PT), who denies any wrongdoing.

This reporter called Transunião on Thursday. A receptionist told Folha to call another phone number, which went unanswered.

MoveBus, according to the Civil Police, was named in Federal Police inquiries for maintaining ties with the sister of Roberto Soriano, known as "Tiriça," a member of the PCC's leadership.

The most detailed case in the investigation is that of A2 Transportes. According to investigators, the company's owner, Paulo Sirqueira Korek Farias, maintained a money laundering scheme for the PCC within the company. Police also cite audio recordings in which company representatives arrange illicit payments.

Both A2 and its owner deny any wrongdoing. "A2 Transportes has never had any involvement with the PCC and has never engaged in money laundering. Our resources come exclusively from contracts and payments made by the City Hall for the services we provide," said Paulo Korek.

Without providing further details, he said the operation has a "strong political component."

The Nunes administration, meanwhile, stated that it "decided on the immediate removal, within 24 hours, of the members of A2 Transportes' board of directors named in the operation." The administration has not ruled out ordering an intervention in the company.

The operation also cites suspicions involving Transwolff, whose true owner, according to police, is Milton Leite.

Transwolff's press office said the former city councilman "never held any ownership stake in Transwolff, never participated in management or 'gave orders' at the company." It further stated that "such a claim is completely mistaken and divorced from reality."

In other cases, the alleged relationship between the companies and the criminal faction is poorly detailed in the documents to which reporters had access.

This is the case for Alfa Rodobus, which took over UpBus's routes. According to police, the succession of UpBus by Alfa "demonstrates the influence and the degree of compromise and contamination of the transportation sector by the presence of organized crime."

Contacted on Thursday afternoon by Folha, Alfa Rodobus said it could not comment because all of its employees were in training.

There are also references to Nortebuss due to its past, when it was called Transcooper. Police cite the company's ties to the PCC in mid-2015. No further details appear in the documents to which Folha had access.

List of companies suspected of ties to the PCC, according to the Public Prosecutor's Office

Transwolff Transportes

The company denies any wrongdoing and says that Milton Leite never held a position of command at the company.

Qualibus Transportes

Currently operating as UpBus, did not answer calls made by Folha on Thursday afternoon.

Transunião Transportes

Reporters called Transunião on Thursday. A receptionist told Folha to call another phone number, which went unanswered.

Alfa Rodobus Transportes

Contacted on Thursday afternoon by Folha, Alfa Rodobus said it could not comment because all of its employees were in training.

Viação Transcap Transportes

Currently operating as Auto Bless, was contacted by phone on Thursday afternoon and asked that reporters get in touch on Friday (18).

A2 Transportes

Both A2 and its owner deny any wrongdoing. "A2 Transportes has never had any involvement with the PCC and has never engaged in money laundering. Our resources come exclusively from contracts and payments made by City Hall for the services we provide," said Paulo Korek. Without providing further details, he said he believes the operation has a "strong political component."

Move Bus Transportes

Contacted by phone on Thursday afternoon (17), a doorman said all employees had already left for the day. He did not provide any other phone numbers.

Pessego Transportes

Reporters sent a WhatsApp message. The company acknowledged receipt but did not respond to the inquiry.

Allianz Transportes

Currently operating as Allibus, was contacted via email sent to the company's legal department, but there was no response by the time this article was published.

Norte Bus Transportes

Said that the entire board is in a meeting and would not make a statement this Thursday.

Spencer Transportes

Took down the reporter's phone number and said they would call back, but did not make a statement.

Imperial

The reporter was unable to make contact with the company.