Jan.20, 2010, 10:17 p.m.

A Danbury businessman involved in a scheme that illegally transferred more than $18 million in cash from the U.S. to banks in Brazil was sentenced to 30 months in prison by a federal court judge Wednesday.

Marcio Mansur, 53, the owner of Bem Brasil on White Street, was one of five people charged with participating in the illegal money transfer operation, according to federal investigators. He pleaded guilty in October 2008.

During the two-year period between March 2006 and March 2008, Mansur, who lives in Waterbury, collected money from Brazilian immigrants in Connecticut, then paid RM Insurance Services of Danbury to transfer the funds to Brazil.

At the time, neither Bem Brasil nor RM Insurance were licensed to operate a money transfer business, authorities said.

All the businesses charged their clients a fee for the service.

Three other co-defendants have already been sentenced for their part in the operation.

Nilander DeOliveira and his sister-in-law Andrea, both Shelton residents who ran BrazilUSA Enterprises in Bridgeport, received 22-month and 15-month prison terms, respectively, for their involvement.

Monica Texeira, of New Milford, a co-owner of RM Insurance, was sentenced to a year behind bars last April, while her business partner, Renata Amaral, also of New Milford, is awaiting sentencing.

In addition to his prison term, Mansur was fined $5,000 and must spend two years after his release on probation.