The Federal Police and the Military Police of São Paulo seized around 12 million packs of smuggled cigarettes on Saturday morning (13).
The cargo was in a warehouse in the Liberdade neighborhood, in the capital of São Paulo. The owner of the place was arrested.
According to the Federal Police, the amount of packs would fill 20 trucks and is valued at R$6 million, and is the largest seizure of contraband cigarettes in the country’s history. The products were from three different brands and will be incinerated.
The action began when police officers who were patrolling the region were called to Junqueira Freire Street, where several suspects were trying to enter a warehouse with a truck without a license plate.
The gang fled before the police arrived, but left the boxes scattered around the property. With the support of federal police, the owner of the warehouse was located and arrested.
According to authorities, he will be released on bail for the crime of smuggling, as he would be paid to receive the illicit shipment.
Investigations to identify and arrest the others involved are ongoing.
Source: CNN Brasil
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