Police dismantle scheme involving companies that agreed on sales prices for cooking gas in ES | Holy Spirit

Police break up scheme involving companies that combined cooking gas prices in ES

The Civil Police carried out an operation this Wednesday (24) to dismantle a cartel scheme to price-fix cooking gas cylinders in the municipality of Serra, in Greater Vitória. In total, two search and seizure warrants were executed, three clandestine gas resales were banned and approximately 400 gas cylinders were seized.

The Specialized Consumer Protection Police Department (Decon) coordinated the investigations, which initially involve seven companies.

Police chief Eduardo Passamani explained that the investigations began after a complaint from a local retailer about equal prices charged in the Feu Rosa neighborhood.

“We identified a witness, a local dealer, who wanted to report a whole price combination scheme. He said he was threatened, that he was able to offer a cheaper price, but the combination eliminated competitors and imposed value on residents”, he said.

According to the delegate, the dealer said he would be able to sell the cylinders for R$85, but the established price was R$105.

Prices were agreed in a group on social media. Cell phones were seized to help search for evidence and prove people’s involvement.

Passamani also said that the closed companies did not have authorization to operate and posed a risk to surrounding residents.

“The closed establishments were not inspected by firefighters, the cylinders were stored close to inappropriate places, in stores, houses, creating danger to people’s lives”, he said.

At the end of the investigations, the suspects may be held liable for price fixing, unauthorized resale and criminal association.

The delegate also said that the police already have evidence that the same type of scheme is happening in other cities in Greater Vitória and the population needs to report it to help with the investigations.

“If you find that the price is always the same, everywhere you call it is the same, or if you are a reseller and are being coerced into participating in a scheme, this has to be stopped. Just call 181, and we will investigate and hold those involved in the scheme accountable”, concluded the delegate.