Source: Folha.com - São Paulo / SP - 05/10/2010

A truck that had come out of Paraguay loaded with cigarettes was seized Monday (4) by the police in Campinas (93 km from São Paulo). Two people - the driver and aide - were arrested on suspicion of smuggling.

It is estimated that about 350 boxes of cigarette packs were in the vehicle, according to the driver's report to the police. The product was hidden under bags of coal in the truck body.

The seizure occurred at km 146 of the D. Pedro 1º highway, when the Military Police approached the truck for routine checks. The vehicle had a license plate from Mato Grosso do Sul and was parked at a gas station.

The prisoners and the vehicle were sent to the Federal Police Station in Campinas. The merchandise was taken at 11 am today to the Federal Revenue Deposit in Viracopos, where it must be counted and subsequently destroyed.

LOAD

According to the PF, the driver and the assistant told the police that they received the truck already loaded with the cargo still in Paraguay, in a city close to the border with Guaíra (PR).

The goods would be delivered in Campinas, to a person who would identify himself at the place where the seizure took place. There is still no indication of who the receiver of the goods is.