Contraband seized up 34% in Brazil

The amount of contraband seized in Brazil increased 34% over the last 12 months compared to the same period last year, according to an official report on anti-smuggling operations, released today (Mar 3) by the Brazilian Association for the Combat Against Smuggling (ABCF). Altogether, 1.2 thousand operations were conducted by the association in cooperation with the police.

São Paulo state is smugglers' top destination, followed by the states of Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, Minas Gerais, Bahia, Pernambuco, Goiás, Pará, and Rio de Janeiro.

The report published by the association reveals that 436 operations were carried out which resulted in over 540 thousand packets of cigarettes and 1.3 million pieces of clothing confiscated. Ten thousand luxury items were also seized, among which purses, glasses, and accessories, along with 3.5 thousand cigars, 20 thousand electric cable and wire rolls, 10 tons of auto parts, and 20 thousands units of beer and other beverages.

ABCF director Rodolpho Ramazzini says that, when Brazilians purchase one of these items, they are harming themselved as well as society. “We're losing the fight against smuggling, and Brazil hasn't been working appropriately against this practice. We must make the work of the intelligence stronger every day because this is an institutionalized crime.”

In Ramazzini's view, unguarded national borders and open ports make it easy for illegal products to enter the country. He believes the work of law enforcement agents should be intensified in these areas.

“When we talk about large-scale contraband, we're talking about [Brazil's] land borders with Paraguay, Bolivia and Colombia. We've come to the conclusion that criminal organizations launder the money made from selling drugs and weapons by smuggling cigars and electrical appliances through these borders,” he says.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira