The Federal Police office in Naviraí (MS) reported on 21 September that agents intercepted a vehicle carrying 84 boxes—roughly 42,000 packs—of Paraguayan cigarettes near Mundo Novo, a key crossing point on the BR-163 corridor. The stop followed three days of aerial and ground surveillance targeting small-scale ‘formiguinha’ smuggling convoys. Contraband tobacco represents Brazil’s largest customs-evasion commodity, costing an estimated R$ 10 billion in unpaid taxes annually. Since tighter COVID-era checks skewed profits toward non-dutiable goods, cigarette runners have diversified routes, using feeder roads that also serve agribusiness exports to São Paulo state. The seized load was transferred to Receita Federal for destruction. The driver faces smuggling charges that carry up to five years’ imprisonment. Authorities say operations will intensify ahead of the 7 October municipal elections, when illicit cargo often finances vote-buying schemes. For logistics providers, the episode signals stricter spot-searches around Mundo Novo and potential queue build-ups at the newly automated weighing station on BR-163. Companies should brief drivers on documentation and avoid mixed-cargo loads that could trigger extended inspections.
Source: Polícia Federal
