Dawn raid carried out by Cade and Public Prosecutor Office of São Paulo in the market of uniforms, backpacks and materials for public schools

Cade’s General Superintendence and Public Prosecutor Office of the State of São Paulo carried out a joint dawn raid last Friday (September 14th, 2012) for the investigation of a potential cartel in the market of uniforms, backpacks and materials for public schools in the State of São Paulo.

The dawn raid was authorized by the Criminal Court of São Paulo based on potential bid-rigging practice within state and municipal public procurement procedures for the provision of products and services in the above-mentioned market.

In total, six search warrants were granted by the Brazilian Judiciary for this purpose. Four of them were carried out at companies’ headquarters and other two directly at individuals’ residencies related to the potential illegal practice.

The search involved public prosecutors, members from São Paulo’s State Public Prosecutor Office, as well as nine officials from Cade.

The documents and electronic material collected will be analyzed and, if the suspicions are confirmed, they will be used as evidence for administrative and criminal proceedings against companies and individuals.