General Superintendence suggests conviction of milk cartel in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul

The General-Superintendence of the Administrative Council for Economic Defense – CADE has opened, on 02 October 2015, an Administrative Proceeding to examine an alleged cartel in the distribution and resale of fuel market in Joinville, in Santa Catarina state. (Administrative Proceeding number 08700.009879/2015-64)

The agency will analyze the conduct of 44 gas stations; of the Union Retail Sellers of Petroleum Products of Santa Catarina state; of three fuel distributors; of Ipirange Produtos de Petróleo S/A; of Rejaile Distribuidora de Petróleo Ltda.; of Alesat Combustíveis S/A and 31 idividuals involved. They allegedly organized the collusion to limit the competition among the gas stations in the municipality in 2013.

CADE’s investigation has stated from wire tap and other evidence gathered on a criminal investigation, shared with the agency through a judicial decision.

With the opening of the Administrative Proceeding, the parties will be notified to present their defense. At the end of the evidentiary stage, the General Superintendence will issue a technical opinion for the filing or the condemnation of the case, sending it to CADE’s Tribunal for judgment in the latter case.