Former Paranagua port authority president arrested

De Souza who was succeeded by Airton Vidal Maron in early January this year following a change of governor in the state of Parana, has been arrested and thrown into jail in Rio de Janeiro on suspicion of fraud and corruption.

Eight others were arrested in what the police are calling Operation Crusader, with all being investigated for a long list of fraud and corruption cases. Police investigators also found that the old APPA president’s private car park was being used by individuals negotiating contracts – including controversial dredging contracts – and thereby bypassing normal port security, registration and checks. The maritime community called this a “secret passageway” into the heart of the APPA administration.

The federal police also raided the home of Eduardo Requiao the previous president of APPA (from early 2003 to late 2009) when De Souza, from the same PMDB party, took over. Eduardo Requiao’s brother Roberto who had been governor of the state of Parana, had appointed Eduardo in the first place.