Federal Police clamps down on international drug trafficking in four states

Agents from Brazil’s Federal Police launched on Thursday (Apr. 3) a search for 72 people in the states of São Paulo, Paraná, Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais. They were charged with taking part in an international drug trafficking scheme headquartered on the Brazil-Paraguay border.

The operation was named Cavalo de Fogo (literally “horse of fire”) and is being carried out by the Federal Police of Paraná based on investigations made two years ago. Forty six search and seizure warrants were issued.

Since the operation started, in 2012, 84 people involved in the scheme have been arrested and 37 thousand kilos of marijuana confiscated, along with 1.4 thousand kilos of cocaine, 560 kilos of crack, three rifles; 12 pistols exclusive to the Armed Forces, 56 vehicles and $197 thousand in cash.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira