Brazil’s Ministry of Defence reported on 27 July 2026 that the latest phase of Operation Ágata Arco Sul-Sudeste has confiscated almost six tonnes of narcotics and R$30.5 million in contraband along the borders of Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul. The joint task force—comprising Army, Navy, Air Force, Federal Police, Federal Highway Police and Receita Federal—also impounded vehicles, speedboats, smartphones and e-cigarettes. Although the crackdown targets organised crime, it will also translate into stricter checks at secondary border posts such as Dionísio Cerqueira (SC-AR/ARG) and Uruguaiana (BR-ARG). Logistics providers have already reported longer inspection times for cross-border buses and courier vans. Operation Ágata forms part of Brazil’s Integrated Border Protection Programme (PPIF) and traditionally ramps up ahead of major holidays to deter trafficking. This year, authorities are trialling drones with facial-recognition analytics and satellite imagery supplied by the Amazon Surveillance System (SIVAM) to patrol remote river crossings. Employers with staff who commute across the Argentina-Brazil or Paraguay-Brazil borders should budget extra time for immigration and customs formalities over the coming weeks and remind drivers to carry complete cargo manifests and personal ID.
Source: Ministry of Defence – Brazil
