Source: Mais Comunidade - Brasília / DF - 02/12/2010

The Secretariat of Public and Social Order (Seops) started the first phase of the full legalization plan for the Brasília Import Fair. The Order Shock operation carried out by the Secretariat on Thursday (2) combated illegal trade promoted by street vendors and piracy. The action started at 6 am in order to avoid the installation of the fair's external public area.

The performance team removed 10 canvas and wood shacks used by street vendors in front of the fair. Inside the tents, freezers with alcoholic drinks, juices and soft drinks were found. No merchandise was seized. The agents talked to the sellers, asking for the products to be removed from the place. Only in cases where street vendors are unable to collect items, such as freezers, chairs and tables, will Seops make the transfer to the owners' addresses, using trucks provided by the Brasília Administration.

In addition to the shacks being in a public area, they did not have minimum hygiene conditions. During removal, rats and cockroaches were found in the irregular trade.

During the operation, there was little resistance from some salespeople, who set tires and garbage on fire, hindering vehicle traffic on the roads near the fair. The Military Police, however, intervened, preventing the demonstration. A man who caused confusion at the scene was taken to the 8th Police Station for the Industry and Supply Sector (SIA).

About a thousand pirated CDs and DVDs were also seized in the action in illegal tents. All the material was taken to the warehouse of the Inspection Agency (Agefis). Altogether, 100 agents from Seops, Agefis, the Traffic Department (Detran), the Brasília Administration, the Civil Police and the Military Police participated in the operation.