Investigates the entry into Brazil of five suitcases brought on a flight that included the president of , (-PB), and the senator (-PI). , the volumes did not undergo X-rays upon arriving in São Paulo, when a tax auditor authorized them to be released without inspection. The case was sent to the (Federal Supreme Court).
The mayor confirmed the trip, but said he “complied with all protocols”, while Ciro Nogueira did not comment.
Understand what is known about the episode.
When did the case occur?
On the night of April 20, 2025, returning from a trip to the Caribbean island of Saint Martin, on a private plane.
Who owns the private aircraft?
The plane belongs to Piauí businessman Fernando Oliveira Lima, Fernandin OIG, owner of online betting companies that offer games such as Fortune Tiger — popularly known as the “tigrinho game”. He was the target of the Bets CPI (Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry).
Which politicians were on the flight?
In addition of Hugo Motta and Ciro Nogueira, the PF identified the presence of deputies Dr. Luizinho (PP-RJ) and Isnaldo Bulhões (MDB-AL), both leaders of their parties in the Chamber. In total, the flight had 16 passengers.
What happened at the airport, after returning to Brazil?
The aircraft arrived at Catarina International Executive Airport, in São Roque (SP), in the metropolitan region of Sorocaba, at around 9 pm.
The PF reported that, initially, pilot José Jorge de Oliveira Júnior, flight commander and employee of Fernandin’s company OIG, passed through the metal detector. He exchanged a few words with fiscal auditor Marco Antônio Canella, removed two pieces of luggage that had just been X-rayed and, bypassing the portico, returned to the restricted arrivals area.
According to the PF, by 9:35 pm all luggage had passed through the X-ray machine and all passengers had been subjected to metal detection. However, at around 9:40 pm, according to the police, the pilot returned to the checkpoint carrying five more bags, and none of these bags passed through the X-ray.
How did the tax auditor react?
The airport’s X-ray operator reportedly questioned Marco Antônio Canella about what happened. According to the corporation, he gestured with his hands “expressing banality and irrelevance.”
Who is the tax auditor involved in the case?
Canella is an auditor based at Viracopos International Airport, in Campinas (SP). According to the PF, he has already been indicted in another case on suspicion of the crimes of passive corruption and facilitation of smuggling. The PF says that its actions in this case were irregular, to say the least, and must be investigated. Canella did not respond to attempts to contact the company. Sheet.
Who owns the volumes that did not undergo X-ray?
The PF says that “it is not possible to categorically state who the volumes belong to or their contents.” Therefore, according to the corporation, there is no way to rule out “the possibility of the involvement of one or more passengers who hold forum prerogative in the crimes under investigation.”
What do those involved in the episode say?
Wanted by SheetMotta confirmed that he was on the flight, but said that, upon disembarking at the airport, he “complied with all protocols and determinations established in customs legislation”. The deputy’s press office also stated that he will await a response from the (Attorney General’s Office).
Fernandin OIG stated that the items belonged to the flight commander and that disembarkation followed the normal process. The pilot said that he does not remember the day of arrival, but declared that the process took place “in accordance with the rules of current customs legislation”.
“There is a standard procedure: each passenger disembarks with their belongings individually”, stated Jorge Oliveira. “I follow the same standard, and each pilot only transports their own items, so that, in any inspection, they are responsible exclusively for what they carry. In the company, it is a rule that no crew member carries passengers’ belongings, limiting themselves to their own”, he continued.
Ciro Nogueira, Dr. Luizinho and Isnaldo Bulhões did not comment.
What crimes are investigated by the PF?
The investigation launched by the corporation investigates possible crimes of facilitating smuggling or embezzlement and malfeasance.
What stage is the case in court at?
Before reaching the Supreme Court, the case was in the 1st Federal Court of Sorocaba. The first movement in the system in that instance indicates that it was distributed in October 2025. On March 18, judge Carolina Castro Costa ordered it to be sent to the STF.
The petition to the court was filed on April 13. In an order dated Friday (24), the minister, chosen as rapporteur, determined that the PGR must comment on the process within five days.
