Revenue investigates 2nd package with jewelry sent to Bolsonaro – 03/06/2023 – Power

The Federal Revenue will investigate the circumstances surrounding the entry into Brazil of a second set of jewels sent by the government of Saudi Arabia through the mission led by former Minister of Mines and Energy Bento Albuquerque to that country in October 2021.

This package was not intercepted by the tax auditors at the Guarulhos airport and, as shown by the official receipt to which the Sheet had access, it was handed over to the Presidency last November to compose the personal archive of former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL).

In a note released this Monday (6), the Revenue Service stated that “it will take the appropriate measures within the scope of its powers to clarify and comply with customs legislation, without prejudice to analysis and clarification regarding the destination of the good”.

One of the packages, a set of jewelry and a watch valued at R$16.5 million that would have been for former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro, was retained by the Revenue at Guarulhos airport as soon as Albuquerque and his team arrived in Brazil. It was in the luggage of one of the former minister’s assistants. The case was revealed by the newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo.

Another case, which includes a watch, pen, cufflinks, a ring and a type of rosary, all from the Swiss diamond brand Chopard and supposedly intended for Bolsonaro, was in the possession of another member of the entourage and was not intercepted by inspection.

“According to the fact, it may constitute a violation of customs legislation by the other traveler, due to lack of declaration and collection of taxes”, stated the Revenue.

The agency said in the statement that the passenger selection procedure takes into account risk management criteria, based on a set of information related to the flight, the passenger and the characteristics of the trip.

A Sheet Albuquerque claimed to have informed the tax auditors at the Guarulhos airport about the suitcase containing the second package of jewelry.

Sought by the report, the former special advisor of the MME Antônio Carlos Mello said that the ministry informed and asked for guidance from the Revenue Service and the Presidency as soon as the alleged gifts were received in the folder.

Mello was, according to an official receipt, responsible for delivering the jewelry case to the Presidency on November 29, practically a month before the end of Bolsonaro’s term. The package was under the ministry’s custody for more than a year, according to the former adviser.