From: Agência Brasil
Flávia Albuquerque reports from Agência Brasil | Edited by: José Romildo / Augusto Queiroz
The Secretariat of the Federal Revenue destroys the contraband confiscated | Receita Federal/divulgação
The amount of contraband seized in Brazil increased 34% over the last 12 months compared to the same period last year, according to an official report on anti-smuggling operations, released today (Mar 3) by the Brazilian Association for the Combat Against Smuggling (ABCF). Altogether, 1.2 thousand operations were conducted by the association in cooperation with the police.
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The report published by the association reveals that 436 operations were carried out which resulted in over 540 thousand packets of cigarettes and 1.3 million pieces of clothing confiscated…..
ABCF director Rodolpho Ramazzini says that, when Brazilians purchase one of these items, they are harming themselved as well as society. “We’re losing the fight against smuggling, and Brazil hasn’t been working appropriately against this practice. We must make the work of the intelligence stronger every day because this is an institutionalized crime.”
In Ramazzini’s view, unguarded national borders and open ports make it easy for illegal products to enter the country. He believes the work of law enforcement agents should be intensified in these areas.
