Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes closed an investigation on May 21, 2026 [2], involving Hugo Motta and Senator Ciro Nogueira.
The decision removes legal scrutiny from high-ranking legislative leaders, including the president of the Chamber of Deputies, following allegations of customs irregularities.
The probe centered on a private flight that landed at the São Roque airport in the interior of São Paulo [1]. Investigators examined allegations that five pieces of luggage [1] bypassed X-ray machines during the entry process [1]. The flight in question took place in 2025 [3].
Moraes based his decision on findings from the Federal Police, which concluded that there were no indications of criminal activity by the politicians [1]. The Office of the Prosecutor General also provided a legal opinion stating that the parliamentarians followed inspection procedures correctly [1].
"There are no indications of criminal practice on the part of the parliamentarians," Moraes said [1].
The justice said that the parliamentarians performed the inspection procedure in the correct manner [3]. The investigation had specifically looked into whether the pilot had bypassed security protocols with the luggage in question [1].
Because the Federal Police found no evidence of a crime and the Prosecutor General's office supported the closure, the court determined there was no legal basis to continue the inquiry. The case is now officially archived.
“"There are no indications of criminal practice on the part of the parliamentarians."”
This dismissal prevents a potential legal crisis for the leadership of Brazil's legislative branch. By relying on the Federal Police and the Prosecutor General, the Supreme Court has effectively cleared Motta and Nogueira of wrongdoing, neutralizing a narrative of privileged treatment regarding customs laws that could have been used as political leverage.
