After classifying PCC as a terrorist faction, the US applies first sanctions to companies and people linked to the faction

The United States government announced, this Wednesday (1st), the first financial sanctions against members and companies allegedly linked to the First Capital Command (PCC) since the faction began to be classified by the American authorities as a terrorist organization. The measure, applied by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), targets two Brazilians, three companies based in Brazil and one Portuguese company.

In justifying the decision, the US Treasury classified the CCP as the “largest transnational criminal organization in the Western Hemisphere” and stated that the faction represents a “significant threat to the national security of the United States”. According to Donald Trump’s government, the organization uses financial structures in US territory, especially in Florida, to launder proceeds from drug trafficking and finance its international operations.

The sanctions affect businessman Victor Henrique de Oliveira Shimada, identified as leader of the money laundering structure based in São Paulo, and Stella Stefanie Nunes Henrique de Oliveira, described by US authorities as a relative and direct collaborator of Shimada. Also included in the list were the companies Victory Trading Intermediação de Negócios Cobranças e Tecnologia Ltda., Pixwave Soluções de Pagos Ltda., Wave Construções Inteligentes Ltda. and the Portuguese Avenidas Flutuantes Unipessoal Ltda.

According to the Treasury Department, Shimada would have acted as a link between PCC operators based in Florida and international traffickers, moving more than US$30 million in illicit resources generated in several cities in the United States. Investigations indicate that the group used cryptocurrencies to remit amounts to Brazil on behalf of the faction.

The US agency also recalled that Shimada was arrested by the Federal Police in January 2025 as part of an investigation into money laundering involving a fraudulent sponsorship contract for a Brazilian football club. Although the statement does not mention Corinthians by name, the case refers to the investigation conducted by the PF into suspected misappropriation of resources linked to the São Paulo club.

According to US authorities, Stella Stefanie Nunes Henrique de Oliveira performed administrative and operational functions within the scheme, acting as Shimada’s secretary and intermediating the collection of large amounts of money, in addition to providing logistical support for laundering operations.

The measures determine the freezing of all goods and assets of those sanctioned that are under US jurisdiction. In addition, United States citizens and companies are prohibited from carrying out transactions with the listed people and companies. Foreign financial institutions that do business with the targets may also be subject to secondary sanctions.

The decision comes after a joint investigation conducted by the FBI, the US Department of Justice and the Homeland Security Task Force. According to the Treasury, in January this year, six members of the PCC cell based in Florida were arrested on charges of money laundering. The sanctions announced this Wednesday focus on the structure installed in São Paulo, identified by investigators as responsible for providing financial support to the activities of the criminal organization.

In a statement, Gene Lange, who serves as Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence at the Treasury Department, stated that the measure represents “another step by the United States government to confront and recognize the growing presence of illicit revenue generation by the First Capital Command within our borders”. According to him, “we cannot allow organized crime in the Western Hemisphere to establish operations on American soil that contribute to crime and illegality.”