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The Paraná Civil Police launched an operation Tuesday to arrest the directors and commercial advisers of the [BR]Raízen and Ipiranga the three largest fuel dispensers in the country. Eight leaders of the three companies were arrested because they were suspected of being involved in the project, and police officers were also arrested "
" The suspicion is that these distributors control undoubtedly and criminally the final price of fuels in the state of Paraná, "said the police in a statement." said the civilian police in an official note.
The three distributors, who together hold about two thirds of the Brazilian diesel market and more than 60 percent of gasoline, would prevent "free competition" in the capital of Paraná, according to researchers
low "diverts the gas from the tank and leaves the consumer with the loss"
Prisoners include three BR business advisers, a commercial director and an Ipiranga advisor and a director and two commercial advisers from Raízen. A BR manager was also subject to a search warrant.
BR Distribuidora is controlled by Petrobras, Raízen is a joint venture between Cosan and Shell, and Ipiranga is a member of the Ultrapar group. Shares of companies listed in B3 operated in a sharp fall Tuesday
The operation "Margin Controlada" was triggered after more than a year of investigation by the Anti-Corruption Division of the Civil Police and the Consumer Defense Bureau of Curitiba, an organ of Paraná Prosecutor's Office, based on the denunciation of the owners of service stations in Curitiba.
The inquiries, which had prices and controlled actions with the participation of the station owners, pointed out that the directors and sales consultants of the three distributors sold the liter of fuel according to the price that would be charged by the owner the flag post concerned.
"Investigations revealed that, in addition to price control in the railway stations, motoboys dealers circulated around Curitiba taking pictures of the prices charged by the stations to see if they agreed with In a specific example cited by the investigators, a distributor presented three options for buying and selling securities at its flag posts, and if the agreement was not met, there could be retaliation. Those who buy gasoline at 3.20 reais should sell at 3.39 reais, who bought at 3.25 reais, should sell at 3.49 reais, and whoever paid 3.32 should sell at 3.59 reais.
Dominance on the market
According to more recent data from the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels, BR, Raízen and Ipiranga have gathered 72% of the Brazilian market of diesel distribution – the most consumed fuel in s the country – and 63% of the gasoline market in the first quarter
BR, the largest distributor in the country, accounted for 31.07% of the Brazilian market for diesel sales and 23.63% of the market for the essence during the period. Raízen had 21.1% of the diesel market and 20.44% of the gasoline market, while Ipiranga had 19.75% of the diesel market and 19.07% of the gasoline .
This Raízem says
Raízen, who was raided by Reuters, said that he follows the deployment of the police operation and is available to the responsible authorities clarification, and stated that the prices are defined exclusively by the
"The company operates in full compliance with the legislation in force and always acts in a competitive manner, with regard to the consumer and in favor of the free competition, "he declared
Ipiranga
Ipiranga also denied having an influence on the price charged for the pumps, and said that the measures would be taken as soon as it was possible. he would have access to the investigation.
"The company emphasizes that it encourages illegal practices, does not deal with activities that violate its compliance program, and values transparency and ethics in all its actions and relationships.
BR Distributor highlights ethics
BR Distribuidora said in a statement that he is guided by its "best business practices, competition, ethics and respect for consumers," and Demands the same behavior of its partners and the workforce
Ultrapar, Cosan and BR shares sharply dropped on the Sao Paulo Stock Exchange on the morning of Tuesday after the outbreak of the operation by the police of Paraná
Suspects will be responsible for crimes of economic abuse and criminal organization, with sentences ranging from 2 to 13 years in prison
Copyright Thomson Reuters 2018
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