A justice of Supreme Federal Court of Brazil ordered the pretrial detention of banker Daniel Vorcaro as part of an investigation into alleged fraud involving billions of reais linked to Banco Master.

In a 48-page ruling, Justice André Mendonça said the inquiry had already identified indications of offences affecting the financial and judicial systems, as well as suspected involvement in organised crime and money laundering, AP reported.

The Brazilian Federal Police said separately it had launched a new stage of raids examining “the possible crimes of threats, corruption, money laundering and invasion of computer systems carried out by a criminal organization.”

Authorities executed four arrest warrants and 15 search and seizure orders in the states of São Paulo and Minas Gerais.

The operation forms part of the third phase of Operation Compliance Zero, which investigates activities linked to Banco Master. Police also reported a court order freezing assets worth BRL22bn ($4.2bn), without identifying the owner.

Vorcaro had previously been detained in November during the probe but was later released. Investigators now say he was linked to a group called “The Crew”, which sought confidential data, monitored perceived opponents and organised intimidation to defend the organisation’s interests.

“I want to have him beaten up. Break all his teeth. In a robbery,” Vorcaro said, according to the decision.

O Globo said it “vehemently repudiates the criminal initiatives planned against columnist Lauro Jardim, one of the most respected journalists in the country.”

The Brazilian Press Association described the alleged plan as “a barbarity incompatible with the Democratic Rule of Law” and a “brutal aggression against the entire category of journalists and the society´s right to be informed.”