Brazil’s Federal Police says the removal of Daniel Mostardeiro Cola and Wedson Cajé Lopes from management roles tied to the Banco Master inquiry stemmed from a breach of trust, not a change to the underlying investigative teams. The two delegates reportedly filed reports concerning Supreme Court justices in the government’s internal system before a planned discussion with senior officials.¹

Police leadership argues that the procedure mattered because Supreme Court President Edson Fachin had instructed the force to send every reference to justices found in the seized material, with context and without analytical conclusions. The initial documents named Alexandre de Moraes, Dias Toffoli and Kassio Nunes Marques, while references to André Mendonça, Luiz Fux and Gilmar Mendes were not included. Leaders also concluded that data cross-checks in the reports went beyond a strictly descriptive account and could resemble unauthorized investigative steps.²

Under that view, the reassignment was a management decision intended to ensure revised, individual reports cover all cited Supreme Court and Superior Court justices. Police officials say Cajé remains in charge of one Master-related inquiry despite losing his management position.¹

The National Association of Federal Police Delegates, however, has raised concerns that the episode could set a precedent for intervention in technically led investigations. While acknowledging the director-general’s authority to replace officials in trusted posts, the association argues that investigators require legal and technical autonomy over casework.³

The Justice Ministry has asked for a formal explanation as it prepares for a Senate hearing. Its officials have said, so far, they see no evidence supporting claims of improper interference, whereas critics inside and outside the force continue to question whether the removals were retaliation for the delegates’ work.¹