Prosecutors Execute Operation at Rio Environmental Agency Over Licensing Irregularities

Overview

• The MPRJ's Gaesf unit and Polícia Civil carried out Operação Hidra de Lerna, serving 14 search‑and‑seizure warrants against 11 people linked to Inea and its Ceca commission and seizing documents, cash, watches and electronic devices.
• Investigators say decisions from 2024–2025 showed a pattern of rapid, technically weak reports that may have favored polluting enterprises and led them to open inquiries into corruption, advocacia administrativa, prevaricação and environmental crimes.
• The justice system ordered the precautionary removal of the Ceca president, Maurício Couto César Júnior, barred him from agency premises and contact with staff, and prosecutors obtained court permission to break the electronic sigils of seized devices.
• An ex‑vice‑president of Inea, José Dias da Silva, was exonerated by the acting governor and an ex‑president, Renato Jordão Brussiere, was also targeted in the operation as prosecutors continue evidence review.
• One man was arrested for illegal firearm possession during the raids and authorities are analyzing seized material to decide on indictments, possible revocation of licenses and further administrative or criminal steps.