A prominent businesswoman from Goiás, Brazil, has been released from detention following her arrest in connection with a massive illegal migration operation. Maria Helena de Sousa Netto Costa was held for over 24 hours at the Casa do Albergado in Goiânia before a judge revoked her preventive detention.
Maria Helena is accused of coordinating a criminal network that facilitated illegal entry into the United States for approximately two decades. According to the Federal Police, the scheme she allegedly led moved around R$ 45 million. The investigation, which authorized the breaking of her telephone and banking secrecy, uncovered these funds in her accounts.
The case has drawn significant attention due to Maria Helena's family connection. She is the mother-in-law of the current Governor of Goiás, Daniel Vilela of the MDB party. In an official statement, the governor firmly distanced himself and his administration from the allegations. He emphasized that the facts under investigation date back to the mid-2000s and have no relation to him, his wife, or the state government.
The Federal Police confirmed that neither Governor Vilela nor his wife are under investigation in this matter. The probe focuses on four independent criminal groups that shared financial, logistical, and operational resources. In total, these groups are estimated to have moved R$ 240 million between 2018 and 2023.
Another suspect, Juliana Rosa Tomé Froes, who was arrested for allegedly handling client recruitment, travel logistics, and management for the scheme, was also released. However, her release came with the condition of wearing an electronic ankle monitor for 90 days. Her defense team argues that assisting Brazilians in presenting themselves to U.S. authorities to formally request asylum does not constitute a crime.
A third suspect, Valéria Divina de Macedo, identified as responsible for the financial and logistical arm of the operation, remains in custody. Her legal representation has not been located for comment. To date, authorities have identified at least 463 Brazilian clients who used the services of this criminal network.
The four suspects from the Goiânia cell are expected to face charges of promoting illegal immigration, criminal organization, and money laundering. Meanwhile, two other alleged leaders of the network, located in the state of Amapá, have not been apprehended and have been added to Interpol's wanted list.
Based on reporting from g1.