Author: Gislene Tiago

Source: Correio de Uberlândia - Uberlândia / MG - HOUSE AND DECORATION - 09/06/2010

Cargo without invoice would have left Caarapó (MS) bound for Montes Claros (MG)

The Federal Highway Police (PRF) seized 200 packs of cigarettes that were reportedly being smuggled into a fake truck bottom on the BR-050 highway, between Uberaba and Uberlândia, on Tuesday (8). Driver Nilson Barbosa da Silva, 48, caught in the act, had already been arrested last year for the same reason. The penalty for a crime classified as contraband can be up to five years.

The 20 thousand packets of cigarettes without an invoice left Caarapó (MS), bound for Montes Claros (MG). The vehicle, a semi-trailer with a license plate from Mato Grosso, was approached in a routine operation at km 151 of the runway, when the cigarette packs were seen.

According to the PRF, with the truck shaking on the track, the false bottom of the semi-trailer would have broken, causing the cigarettes to spread. In all, 200 thousand packs were found, distributed in 400 boxes.

Also according to the police, the driver, truck and cargo were taken to the Federal Police (PF) headquarters in Uberaba.