Former mayor is on the run after MP's report of leading gambling, prostitution, and obstructing investigations by Gaeco in MG
The former mayor of Chácara, Emerson Damião Duque, is considered a fugitive after being implicated in a criminal organization involved in gambling and prostitution.
Emerson Damião Duque, the former mayor of Chácara, is the central figure in an ongoing operation known as 'Prenda-me se for capaz', which has revealed significant criminal activities in the Juiz de Fora region. He is accused of leading a highly organized crime scheme engaged in extensive gambling, prostitution, and money laundering. Despite a warrant for his arrest, Duque has not been located as of the last reported update, making him a fugitive from justice.
In addition to Duque, the Minas Gerais Public Ministry (MPMG) is also investigating two other individuals connected to this case—lawyer Eider Cunha Tavares, who was arrested the previous week, and military police officer Carlos Leonardo Zamblute Martins, who has already been convicted for his involvement with drug traffickers and extortion crimes. The investigation sheds light on a network that appears to have flourished unchecked, raising significant concerns about corruption and the extent of illicit activities in the region.
This situation not only highlights issues of local governance and public integrity but also indicates the need for robust law enforcement against organized crime. It suggests a broader context where criminal activities can intersect with public officials, putting pressure on the judicial system to act decisively in dismantling these networks in order to restore public trust and safety.