São Paulo Launches 'Operação Bancada' Targeting Influencers Behind Illegal Balloon Network

Overview

• Environmental Military Police and state prosecutors began coordinated raids on Tuesday to dismantle the supply and promotion chain for large illegal balloons.
• Authorities are executing 31 search-and-seizure warrants in São Paulo and the metropolitan area, with names of suspects withheld.
• At least 170 officers are assigned to the operation, which focuses on both physical logistics and digital promotion.
• A six-month investigation identified those responsible for making, releasing and recovering the balloons, as well as influencers who normalized the activity online.
• Judicial measures include suspending and freezing social media accounts tied to monetization, with the crackdown following incidents such as the fatal Tatuapé explosion on November 13.