Brazil Signs Anti-Gang Bill, Allowing Confiscated Cryptocurrency to Fund Law Enforcement

Odaily News: Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed an anti-gang bill on Tuesday, granting authorities new powers to freeze and confiscate assets during investigations and after convictions. The types of assets involved include cryptocurrencies, stocks, and luxury goods. The bill allows authorities to permanently confiscate relevant assets and sell them, with the proceeds used for police equipment upgrades, training, and special operations.

The bill also establishes an economic incentive mechanism for public assistance in law enforcement, offering informants who provide information and assist in asset recovery a reward of up to 5% of the confiscated assets. Assets confiscated related to drug trafficking will be allocated to the federal anti-drug policy fund, rather than the security fund.

Furthermore, the bill imposes harsher penalties on extreme violent criminal organizations, paramilitary groups, and private militias that use violence or serious threats to control territory, disrupt public services, attack infrastructure, or intimidate authorities and civilians.