Brazil signs anti-gang bill allowing seized cryptocurrencies to be used to fund law enforcement agencies

Odaily Planet Daily reports that Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed an anti-gang bill on Tuesday, granting authorities new powers to freeze and seize assets during investigations and after convictions, including asset types such as cryptocurrencies, stocks, and luxury goods. The bill allows authorities to permanently confiscate related 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 whistleblowers who provide information and assist in asset recovery up to 5% of the confiscated assets as a reward. Assets confiscated in connection with drug trafficking will be allocated to the federal anti-drug policy fund, rather than the security fund.

Additionally, the bill increases penalties for 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.