SAO PAULO, Aug. 18 (UPI) -- Brazilian authorities have nabbed 63 money launderers in a large-scale, nationwide sweep, Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper reported Wednesday.
The accused are said to have sent some $20 billion out of the country illegally from 1997 to 2002.
Advertisement
About 800 federal police were dispatched in several of Brazil's largest cities to round up the suspects Tuesday in an operation dubbed "Beacon Hill" by authorities.
The operation was one of the largest manhunts in recent history.
"The operation reflects our commitment to combat organized crime," said Paulo Lacerda, director-general of Brazil's federal police.
