Source: Expresso MT - Cuiabá / MT - 19/09/2010

The Federal Highway Police (PRF) seized yesterday morning, on the BR-364, close to the Serra de São Vicente (departure from Cuiabá to Rondonópolis) a cart loaded with cigarettes, various electronics and computer equipment. The estimate is that the cargo is estimated at approximately R $ 300 thousand.

The driver Aparecido Carneiro, 53, was arrested and sent, along with the vehicle, to the Federal Police (PF) headquarters in the capital. According to agent PRF Alberto Oliveira, the arrest occurred during routine inspection. “The cart had a load of iron from Paraná, which had a note, was regular. There were 250 cigarette boxes on it, ”he said.

According to Oliveira, each box contains a thousand packs. The estimated value of this cargo alone is R $ 95 thousand. In addition, there was a large amount of electronic, computer, fishing, pressure rifle, fishing and sports supplies, speakers and nutritional supplements.

Illegally entered the country, the materials originated in Paraguay, constituting the crime of embezzlement and contraband. "From now on (after seizure) the products can no longer be legalized," noted PRF Fernanda Patrícia.

For the police, Carneiro said he would receive R $ 6 to transport the cargo. In addition, he commented only that the products would be delivered in Cuiabá, but said that he did not know who would receive the goods. The person who hired the service would call to indicate the place of delivery.

For the police, the goods would supply the capital's informal commerce, including Shopping Popular, located on Avenida Tenente Coronel Duarte, in the Dom Aquino neighborhood (Porto region).

On August 24, the popular shopping center was the target of the integrated operation of the PF and the IRS. In the action, the police seized goods from 34 boxes.

Because of the operation, the mall was closed all day. The seized goods were valued at R $ 2 million. Among the objects collected were electronics, computers, car audio, cameras, camcorders, games, DVDs and video games.

The 34 search and seizure warrants were requested by the Federal Public Ministry (MPF) and issued by the 2nd Federal Court of Mato Grosso, on suspicion of commercialization of foreign goods irregularly imported into the country, which constitutes crimes such as smuggling, embezzlement, evasion. tax and piracy.

At the time, the president of Shopping dos Camelôs, Misael Galvão, demanded the implementation of the Sacoleiros Law (11.898) that was approved and sanctioned last year by the President of the Republic, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The law institutes the Unified Taxation Regime (RTU) for sacoleiro people who bring goods from Paraguay by land. The legislation authorizes the purchase of up to R $ 110 thousand per year outside the country.