Operation Novo Rumo, led by the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE), the Office of the Comptroller General (CGU), and the Federal Highway Police (PRF), launched today (5 December) to investigate an alleged cartel and tender for road engineering contracts worth nearly R$9 billion ($1.48 billion).
The operation, spanning five states, targets 12 companies suspected of colluding in bids conducted by Codevasf and DNIT from 2018 to 2023. The investigation used advanced data science techniques to assess cartel risks, with evidence triggering searches and seizures at company offices.
If proven, fines for corporate offenders could range from 0.1% to 20% of annual revenue, while individuals face penalties of R$50,000 to R$2 billion. This marks the first joint operation between CGU and CADE under a 2023 cooperation agreement, with PRF ensuring safety during enforcement.
