Author: Patrícia Zamboni

Source: Jornal da Cidade - Bauru - Bauru / SP - 01/04/2010

In a joint action between the Federal Police (PF) of Bauru and the Military Police (PM) of Jaú, a cargo containing 225 thousand packs of smuggled cigarettes from Paraguay was seized in Jaú yesterday, which would be transported in a box truck. Eight people were arrested during the operation and would be taken, this morning, to a public jail in the region.

According to information obtained from the Federal Police, the cargo was found in a truck garage, whose address was not informed. The seizure was the result of an investigation that was already being carried out by the PF of Bauru and PM of Jaú.

In addition to the cigarettes - whose brand was not informed - and the box truck, a Fiat Palio, a Saveiro and three Fiorinos were also seized, vehicles that would probably be used to distribute the cargo.

The license plates of the vehicles were not released, nor were the names of the eight men who were arrested, suspected of participating in the operation that would result in the distribution of cigarettes in cities in the Bauru region.

After listening to the accused, the delegate José Fernando Amaral Júnior, from the Federal Police of Bauru, would initiate an investigation - which will later be forwarded to the Federal Justice - and send the seized cargo to the Federal Revenue Service.

The crime of smuggling is characterized by the entry or exit of a prohibited product, or that violates health or morality.