Brazil Air Force intercepts plane carrying 500kg of cocaine
Agents from the Brazilian Air Force intercepted a small aircraft flying into Brazilian airspace without authorization in Mato Grosso do Sul state, Central-West Brazil, at around 12:36 pm Sunday (Jul 3). Two Super Tucano (A-29) air defense aircraft were deployed. The pilots attempted to make contact but received no response.
After the failed attempt to reach the plane, the aircraft was considered suspicious and was ordered to change route and make a mandatory landing. As the pilot ignored the order, a warning shot was fired. Still not responding, the plane was considered hostile, and arrest shot procedures were performed.
Forced landing
After the shot, the plane made a forced landing in São Paulo, between the cities of Jales and Pontalinda.
When called, the Federal Police went to the place indicated by the Air Force, but found the plane abandoned with approximately 500 kilos of cocaine base paste stored in it. By the time the officers reached the scene, the pilot and one other man were no longer there.
“Radars were reported to have identified the aircraft entering Brazilian airspace. Having failed to establish contact with control, it disregarded all the policing measures, presenting itself hostile. The action is part of operation Ostium, aimed at curbing cross-border crimes. In the crackdown, the Brazilian Air Force and the Federal Police work together,” the note from the Brazilian Air Force reads.
