The police in Brazil is investigating the former Chelsea Star, Diego Costa over his involvement in money laundering and foreign currency exchange fraud and criminal association that involved Esportenet, an online betting site. Diego Costa’s lawyer has said he is innocent.
Sergipe State Police said in a statement: "On Wednesday morning Sergipe State Police launched the second phase of an operation codenamed Distraction.
"The aim is obtaining evidence for an investigation into the alleged practices of exploitation of gambling, money laundering, foreign currency exchange and criminal association involving the ESPORTENET betting site, its owners, financial operators and financier.
"In the first phase of the operation, which began on March 3 this year, documents and electronic equipment were seized that allowed the investigation to be deepened and the amount of £1.77million in cash was seized.
"Based on the evidence collected, it was possible to identify other betting platforms used by the group and individual companies and legal entities for alleged money laundering and foreign exchange fraud
"The participation of money changers that help the criminal organisation to allegedly commit foreign exchange fraud was verified, as well as the participation of a football player who is allegedly the financier of the criminal scheme.
"At this stage, the investigation is focused on the foreign exchange fraud, with specific focus on the money changers and the betting site's financier.
"Seven search and seizure warrants are being executed, two in Itabaiana in Sergipe, one in Lagarto in Sergipe, two in Simao Dias in Sergipe, one in Salvador in the state of Bahia and one in Sao Paulo.
"The warrants were issued by a judge sitting at Itabaaina’s Sixth Federal Court.
"Warrants for the seizure of property belonging to those involved in the criminal scheme are also being executed."
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/16299098/diego-costa-police-investigation/The punishment for money laundering offences in Brazil is between 3 to 10 years and a fine.
Under article 1 of Law 9,613/98, the penalty for money laundering is imprisonment for between three and 10 years and a fine.
https://iclg.com/practice-areas/anti-money-laundering-laws-and-regulations/brazil