https://newsroomamerica.com/a/UFUvqpsHNcvqx1679Q6cg7FQVdd/six_individuals_including_five_illegal_aliens_pleaded_guilty_to_laundering_over_30_million_in_drug_proceeds_the_sophisticated_operation_spanned_multiple_countries_and_involved_couriers_and_facilitators_with_sentencing_scheduled_for_august_and_september.html

Six individuals, including five Brazilian nationals illegally residing in Orlando, have pleaded guilty to their roles in a sophisticated conspiracy to launder over $30 million in illicit cash proceeds from drug trafficking. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida accepted the guilty plea of Ygor Fokin Saviolli yesterday, following the acceptance of pleas from five co-defendants on June 1.

The money laundering organization operated across the United States and several countries, coordinating dozens of bulk cash pickups through WhatsApp message chains. Saviolli, 35, provided upfront funds and oversaw the receipt and laundering of the drug proceeds. Gabriel Cezar Menezes, 29, served as a facilitator, directing couriers and personally collecting cash on multiple occasions.

Omar Aliperti De Mello Correa, 34, a U.S. citizen, along with Brazilian nationals Joao Andrade De Mello, 29, Tadeu Sebastiane Rabelo Alves Barbosa, 30, and Leandro De Avila Goncalves, 42, all acted as couriers. They conducted bulk cash pickups in various cities, including Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Minneapolis, Rochester, New York, and Tampa. Each defendant pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Saviolli is scheduled for sentencing on September 11, while Menezes, Correa, De Mello, Barbosa, and Goncalves are set to be sentenced on August 20. The FBI, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, investigated the case.