Operation National Convoy, launched Friday, June 17, by Brazil’s Federal Police (PF), expects to seize over 350 tourist buses used to transport contraband merchandise from Paraguay.
Besides the apprehensions, 81 transportation firms that operate in this sector will be investigated, and the individuals responsible could be charged with criminal participation.
The license plates of the suspect vehicles were filmed and photographed when they formed convoys to escape inspection at highway control posts. The images revealed that many buses made at least 500 trips to Foz do Iguaçu.
The PF operation is being carried out in conjunction with the Federal Revenue agency and the Federal Highway Police in six states: Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Paraná, Santa Catarina, the Federal District, and Goiás.
The Federal Public Interest Defense Ministry and the National Overland Transportation Agency (ANTT) are also participating in the operation.
ABr – www.radiobras.gov.br