# Brazilian Authorities Dismantle Criminal Ring Selling Counterfeit Cancer Drugs Police and prosecutors arrest three suspects involved in distributing fake immunotherapy medication nationwide. - **Source:** [Estadão](https://www.estadao.com.br) - **Published:** 2026-11-05 - **Topic:** [health](https://brifing.si/c/health) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/b1cb7b38-824d-4073-bd51-3ec8a7498871 ## Operation Laziosi Launched Brazilian authorities, including the Gaeco and São Paulo Civil Police, launched Operation Laziosi this Thursday. The crackdown targets a criminal organization accused of distributing counterfeit cancer medications. Officials executed three preventive arrest warrants and eighteen search and seizure orders across multiple cities, including São Paulo, Araraquara, and Marília, to dismantle the illicit network. ## Origin of the Investigation The probe began in 2024 after Merck Sharp Dohme identified a fake unit of Keytruda. The hospital Igesp had purchased this unit from Nacionalfarma, a distributor based in Araraquara. Laboratory analysis confirmed the absence of the active ingredient in the drug, triggering a formal investigation into the distributor's supply chain operations. ## High-Value Fraud Mechanism Keytruda is an injectable immunotherapy drug used for melanoma, bladder, kidney, and endometrial cancers. Its high market value makes it a primary target for criminal fraud. Between January and November 2024, the distributor issued over 1.5 million Brazilian Reais in invoices for the drug, reaching hospitals in at least seven different states. ## Key Suspects Identified The three individuals arrested include Nalva Braz do Nascimento, the owner of Nacionalfarma and alleged leader of the criminal structure. Petter Gabriel Cavalcante Chagas served as the link to the hospital market, while Sharlene Chaves Barbosa managed the financial articulation, including bank data and the issuance of fraudulent invoices for the illicit sales. ## Persistence of Illegal Sales Despite an initial police phase in November 2024, the distributor continued its activities. In April 2025, Nacionalfarma sold nine additional units of fake oncology drugs to a hospital in the interior of São Paulo. One of these units was reportedly administered to a patient before the fraud was confirmed by the manufacturer. ## Judicial and Financial Measures The court ordered the freezing of assets and funds up to 15 million Brazilian Reais belonging to the suspects and their associated companies. Furthermore, authorities suspended the operations of seven companies linked to the scheme. Investigators are currently analyzing additional oncology drugs seized in the capital to verify their authenticity and true origin. ## Systemic Supply Chain Risks The investigation revealed that Nacionalfarma operated alongside a network of front companies to facilitate the distribution of counterfeit goods. In some instances, the company replaced fraudulent products with items from a batch previously stolen in Minas Gerais. This highlights significant vulnerabilities in the pharmaceutical supply chain regarding the verification of drug provenance. ## Impact on Patient Safety The distribution of fake immunotherapy drugs poses a severe threat to public health by depriving patients of necessary treatment. As the legal process continues, the focus remains on identifying all affected hospitals and ensuring the removal of counterfeit products from the market. The case underscores the critical need for rigorous pharmaceutical oversight. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.estadao.com.br/politica/blog-do-fausto-macedo/policia-e-gaeco-prendem-tres-por-venda-de-remedios-falsos-contra-o-cancer/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._