Author: Fábio Luporini

Source: Jornal de Londrina - Londrina / PR - 25/06/2010

The amount of contraband seizures made by the Federal Revenue (RF) in Londrina in April and May this year is more than double that recorded in the first quarter of 2010. In April and May, R $ 4,307 million in goods, vehicles were seized and fines imposed. Between January and March, R $ 2,1 million were apprehended. Less smuggling and changes in enforcement are seen as factors that have contributed to a significant increase in seizures in the past two months.

"The month of January and February has traditionally been of minor apprehensions, after Christmas and during holidays, due to the smaller flow of people who go to Paraguay," explained the Federal Revenue chief in Londrina, Sérgio Gomes Nunes. Another reason cited by him is that in March and April, the Revenue's inspection strategy - together with the Federal Police and highway police - was changed. "The IRS always monitors the work and checks the moment to change the strategy," he said. The deputy chief of the Revenue, David de Oliveira, highlighted the intensification of inspections. "We are doing more operations."

According to Revenue data, R $ 2,590 million in goods were seized, including electronics (R $ 765.711), computer products (R $ 318.810) and cigarettes (R $ 382.618); R $ 2,979 million correspond to the fines applied; and R $ 837 thousand in vehicles. All seizures remain in RF deposits until the case is closed. Some goods, such as cigarettes, are destroyed, while others, such as toys, are destined for assistance entities. The IRS also holds auctions to dispose of the rest of the seized materials.

Smuggling route

One of the reasons for the large number of seizures is the fact that the North of Paraná is a smuggling route between the border with Paraguay and Southeast Brazil. “We are at an equidistance between Foz and São Paulo, which are the biggest point of origin and the biggest point of distribution of smuggled goods. Eighty percent of what is seized in Londrina is not destined for the city, but for São Paulo and even Rio de Janeiro ”, explained Oliveira.

For him, the high number of seizures does not mean that border authorities do not do their job. “The volume of apprehensions is very large and much higher than ours. Those who arrive here are those who manage to pass there, sometimes by boat, on the lake, at dawn, ”he said.

BR-369 is an alternative route

All federal highways, especially the BR-369, as well as state and even rural roads, are alternative routes for smuggling. "The offender has a number of options because BR-369 has sections with secondary routes," said the chief inspector of the policing nucleus of the Federal Highway Police (PRF) of Londrina, Vicente Zangirolani.

PRF works in at least three work strategies. According to Zangirolani, one of the focuses is the investigation of complaints, many of them anonymous, which reveal precious information about smugglers. In addition, the police usually work with what they call the “surprise element”, with inspection at strategic points, without a logical sequence. The third strategy consists of observing the times and characteristics of the vehicles.