Empty packaging seized during an operation against counterfeiting pesticides in the region of Franca (SP) Reproduction/EPTV The Court of Franca (SP) revoked the preventive arrests of five prisoners in Operation Pesticide. They are accused of being part of a gang specialized in counterfeiting pesticides operating inside and outside the state of São Paulo. Paulo Henrique da Silva, Murilo Henrique de Andrade Silva, Kennyd Ferreira Alves, Kennji Ferreira Alves and Válber Reis Souza had been in preventive detention since December 2025. The operation was launched by the Special Action Group to Combat Organized Crime (Gaeco), from the Public Ministry. In the decision, judge Ewerton Meirelis Gonçalves, from the 2nd Court of Franca, accepted defense arguments about the State's excessive delay in presenting the expert reports necessary to prove the illegality of the seized pesticides. "The rule of law does not allow the accused to remain in precautionary segregation for an indefinite period while the production of essential technical evidence is not carried out within a reasonable period of time. Preventive detention is an exceptional measure, aimed at safeguarding the process and not anticipating punishment", said the magistrate in the decision. Be part of the g1 Ribeirão e Franca channel on WhatsApp At the time, 90 search and seizure warrants were executed. Review report from December 2025: Operation fulfills more than 100 warrants against counterfeit pesticide ring According to Gonçalves, the delay in producing evidence ended up harming the progress of the criminal action. The evidentiary hearing and trial have not been held to date. In lieu of imprisonment, the following precautionary measures were imposed on the five defendants: Monthly appearance in court to inform and justify their activities; Prohibition of being absent from the country, with mandatory delivery of passports to the Court; Prohibition of contact with other co-defendants by any means; Prohibition of carrying out activities with pesticides, whether directly or indirectly (production, transport or commercialization); Prohibition of visiting the investigated locations, specifically the properties and establishments used by the organization. The court also ordered the use of electronic ankle bracelets and nighttime home confinement to Paulo Henrique da Silva and Kennyd Ferreira Alves because they were identified as leaders of the scheme, according to the investigation. What the defenses say In a statement, lawyer Rafael Spirlandeli, who represents Kennyd and Kennji's defenses, said that the revocation was technical and correct, as maintenance without the report attesting to the materiality of the crime would make the arrests illegal. Válber Reis Souza's lawyer, Paulo Sérgio Severiano, said that the release was inevitable given the lack of proof of the materiality of the crimes. Until the last update of this article, g1 had not located the defense of the other two defendants. See more news from the region on g1 Ribeirão e Franca Videos: Everything about Ribeirão Preto, Franca and the region