Brazilian Federal Police arrest cigarette smugglers in Paraná.

Ivan Richard
Reporter from Agência Brasil

Brasilia - The Federal Police (PF) launched an operation this morning (24), in Foz do Iguaçu (PR) and three other cities, to dismantle a criminal organization accused of smuggling and contraband, mainly cigarettes from Paraguay. According to the PF, the sum of evaded taxes and resulting fines exceeds R$ 40 million.

During Operation Double Face, carried out in partnership with the Federal Revenue Service, 18 preventive arrest warrants and 21 search and seizure warrants were executed in the Paraná cities of Foz do Iguaçu, Santa Terezinha de Itaipu and Medianeira, and also in Belém (PA).

The Federal Police further explained that, to prevent the smuggled goods from passing through checkpoints on BR 277, the gang used a kind of "scout car." That is, cars went ahead of the trucks relaying information about police operations. In addition, according to the Federal Police, public servants and people who worked on the highway were recruited by the group.
Throughout the investigations of Operation Double Face, 35 people were arrested in the act, mostly drivers and "scouts".

Approximately R$30 million worth of merchandise and 46 vehicles, mostly semi-trucks and trucks loaded with cigarettes, were also seized. The gang also financed cars in the names of third parties to use them in transporting the contraband products.

The prisoners will be charged with the crimes of smuggling, tax evasion, criminal organization, gang formation, receiving stolen goods, and altering vehicle identification numbers. According to the Penal Code, smuggling occurs when prohibited products enter or exit the country, or products that threaten health or morality. Tax evasion, on the other hand, is the entry or exit of permitted products without going through the required bureaucratic and tax procedures.

Edited by: Marcos Chagas