Former Sao Paulo Council President Arrested in PCC Bus Probe

Former Sao Paulo City Council president Milton Leite surrendered to police in Mogi das Cruzes on Friday after spending 24 hours as a fugitive. He is a target of Operation Vectura Corrupta, which investigates infiltration by the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) into the city's bus system and public administration.

The operation, led by the Public Ministry and Civil Police, issued 16 arrest warrants and 18 search warrants. Eleven suspects were arrested initially; five, including Leite and businessman Paulo Sirqueira Korek Farias, remained at large before Leite turned himself in.

“I did not commit any crime and I owe nothing. I am innocent of all accusations.”

Investigators allege the PCC directly or indirectly controls at least 12 of the 22 bus companies operating in Sao Paulo. Leite is described in court documents as the "hidden and de facto owner" of Transwolff, one of the implicated firms.

During searches in Sorocaba linked to a former Leite aide, officers seized 280,000 reais and 89,000 US dollars in cash. Authorities are investigating a possible leak that may have allowed targets to evade initial raids.

Mayor Ricardo Nunes said he was surprised by the arrest of former Mobility Secretary Levi dos Santos Oliveira, a 30-year SPTrans veteran, but pledged full cooperation. Governor Tarcisio de Freitas stated allies and adversaries must be treated equally under the law.

Leite denies all wrongdoing, stating he never met PCC members and will prove his innocence. His temporary detention lasts 30 days pending further investigation.