A Brazilian businessman linked to the notorious Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) criminal group was fatally shot at Guarulhos Airport in São Paulo. Antônio Vinicius Gritzbach, who had recently entered a plea bargain with local prosecutors to provide intelligence on the PCC, was targeted shortly after receiving death threats from the gang, according to local media reports.
The shooting, which left three others injured, unfolded in broad daylight outside the airport terminal and was captured on security cameras. Footage shows two hooded gunmen emerging from a vehicle armed with sub-machine guns and opening fire. Gritzbach, a former PCC member, dropped his bag and attempted to flee but was repeatedly shot, succumbing to his injuries at the scene.
A noted cryptocurrency expert, Gritzbach had been assisting authorities in unraveling how the PCC laundered millions of dollars through digital currencies. Brazilian media has described him as a once-prominent figure within the gang’s operations. As part of his cooperation deal, Gritzbach pledged to help law enforcement track down other PCC members and disclose critical documents. In return, São Paulo prosecutors reportedly offered him a judicial pardon and a reduced sentence for his money-laundering activities.
The PCC, formed in the early 1990s, has grown into one of Brazil’s most dangerous drug-trafficking organizations, with influence extending well beyond Latin America. In 2023, São Paulo’s organized crime taskforce estimated that the PCC’s international cocaine trafficking operations generated nearly $1 billion (£773 million) annually. The group’s reach is not confined to Brazil, as a recent report by Portuguese security services indicated that the PCC maintains 1,000 associates in Lisbon alone.
Law enforcement swiftly responded to the attack, deploying officers to the airport and its vicinity to secure the area. The high-profile killing underscores the ongoing threats posed by organized crime in Brazil and highlights the risks faced by those cooperating with authorities.
