SAO PAULO — Brazil on Thursday said it seized about $220 million in assets linked to a sprawling criminal network as part of a nationwide investigation into a money laundering scheme involving investment funds and the fuel sector.

Officials executed 14 search and seizure warrants and 14 preventive arrest warrants, resulting in five arrests, in what Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski said was one of the largest operations against organized crime in the country’s history.

Federal authorities did not name any individuals or companies targeted, citing sealed and ongoing investigations. However, state prosecutors in Sao Paulo, who contributed to the operation, said the scheme involved members of the First Capital Command crime syndicate, or PCC.

Lewandowski said: “This operation addresse

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