MIAMI, Florida — Four Brazilian nationals appeared in federal court Wednesday after being indicted for their alleged roles in a conspiracy to launder tens of millions of dollars, including drug money.
Ygor Fokin Saviolli, 35; Gabriel Cezar Menezes, 29; Joao Andrade De Mello, 29; and Leandro De Avila Goncalves, 42, along with Omar Aliperti De Mello Correa, 34, were part of a sophisticated money laundering organization operating throughout the U.S. and internationally, according to court documents. The defendants allegedly acted as facilitators and couriers, depositing large sums of illicit cash into financial institutions across the U.S. to conceal the funds’ origins and return profits to drug suppliers, stated the source. The organization reportedly concealed more than $30 million in cash during the conspiracy.
Each defendant faces charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. If convicted, Saviolli, Menezes, Andrade De Mello, and De Avila Goncalves could also face removal proceedings…