Brazil’s Federal Police (PF) reported on 18 September 2026 that three international passengers were caught trying to move hashish and cocaine through São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport over the previous 48 hours. The suspects – a US citizen arriving from Mexico City, a dual-national travelling to Doha and on to Armenia, and a Canadian heading for Doha – were found carrying a combined 26 kilograms of narcotics concealed in luggage, along with US$11,500 in undeclared cash. All arrests were made during routine x-ray and canine inspections in Terminal 3, the country’s busiest long-haul hub. The operation follows the PF’s recent reinforcement of its airport narcotics unit ahead of the year-end travel surge and amid Brazil’s bid to host major sporting events. While primarily a law-enforcement story, the case has direct mobility implications: enhanced secondary screening can lengthen connection times and increase the likelihood of random baggage checks for legitimate travellers. Airlines operating at GRU have already circulated advisories asking premium passengers to arrive at least 30 minutes earlier than usual for outbound flights. Global mobility teams moving equipment samples or high-value electronics through Guarulhos should ensure ATA carnets and invoices are in order, as officers often expand drug searches to include customs compliance. PF officials said cooperation with U.S. Homeland Security Investigations and Qatar’s Hamad International security unit is ongoing, suggesting further multi-jurisdictional sweeps in the coming weeks.
Source: Polícia Federal
