Source: Diário do Noroeste - Paranavaí / PR - 03/09/2010

The so-called blocking operations on the main state roads in the region are having an effect on the scolding in the fight against smuggling. Yesterday morning, four men were arrested when they were transporting around 15 packs of cigarettes, near Nova Esperança.

The smugglers were in two cars, one was doing the “scout” job - he went ahead to check if there were police on the road.

Through radiocommunicators and cell phones, smugglers kept in touch. The scouts still carried a sum of money.

The accused were taken to the Federal Police Station of Maringá, where they were charged for conspiracy and smuggling. The two cars and supplies were also handed over to federal police.

Increase in arrests - Since taking command of the 8th BPM in May of this year, Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Olímpio Ramires Lima has started carrying out anti-smuggling operations. From May to September the number of arrests for contraband on state roads was 50 times greater than in the same period last year, he said.

When looking at the figures for the first four months of this year, the number of arrests increased more than six times after the blockade operation began.

“The quiet route is over. We are showing that it is possible to effectively inspect the state roads in our region. For this, we set up a special group to fight smuggling that has no day, time and place to act. We are present and blocking strategic locations, ”said the 8th BPM commander.

Since the operation was set up, 20 strikes have been carried out; 31 cars were seized and 50 people were arrested. In just one seizure the value of the cargo with 500 thousand packs of cigarettes was estimated at more than R $ 1 million.

“We must be aware and the best way to prevent it is to be present. Our workforce has been deployed to carry out these blocks. As a result, it is not only smugglers who are being fought, bandits and traffickers also end up being harmed by the blockades ”, comments the commander. (By Robson Fracaroli)