A new report from the São Paulo Public Prosecutor’s Office shows that the Brazilian criminal group PCC (Primeiro Comando da Capital) now operates in at least 28 countries.

This includes places as far away as Turkey and Japan. The group started in a São Paulo prison in 1993 and has grown into a major international crime network.

Most PCC members outside Brazil are in Paraguay, Venezuela, and Bolivia. These countries are close to where much of South America’s cocaine is produced.

The PCC uses these locations to move drugs across borders and ship them to other continents. Authorities estimate that there are more than 2,000 PCC members working outside Brazil.

The total number of members, including those in Brazil, is close to 50,000. The group earns about R$1 billion (around $200 million) every year, mostly from selling cocaine abroad.

Brazilian Crime Syndicate PCC Expands Global Operations to 28 Countries. (Photo Internet reproduction)

PCC’s Evolution into a Global Crime Syndicate

The PCC has built a complex system to move drugs from South America to Europe, Africa, and Asia. They use trucks, boats, and even hidden compartments in ships to avoid police.

Sometimes, they work with other criminal groups, like the Italian mafia, to help sell drugs in Europe. Law enforcement in Brazil and other countries have caught some PCC leaders and seized large amounts of drugs.

Still, the group remains strong because it adapts quickly and forms new partnerships to keep its business running. The PCC’s activities hurt local economies and make it harder for honest businesses to operate.

Their operations also increase violence and corruption in the countries where they are active. For people working in international trade, finance, or security, understanding how the PCC works is important.

The PCC’s story shows how a criminal group can grow from a local prison gang into a global organization by focusing on business-like strategies and building strong networks. This makes them one of the most powerful and dangerous crime groups in the world today.