The IRS, in cooperation with authorities in the United States and Bolivia, intercepted on Sunday (21) eight trucks loaded with 260 tons of wood in the border strip. The agency’s estimate is that the load conceals between 20 and 50 tons of cocainewhich can configure the largest drug seizure ever recorded in Brazilian territory.
Called Timber Shield, the operation identified the narcotic hidden in the structure of the material in inspections carried out in Corumba (MS) e Caceres (MT). According to the Revenue, the substance was found in liquid state e mixed with wood. The camouflage technique aims to alter the physical appearance of the material to make identification difficult at ports and border posts.
The action is the result of intelligence information sharing which indicate the relationship of this cargo with another seizure of 100 tons of cocaine carried out in Chile, on the 6th. According to the North American authorities, the shipments came from the same production site, in Bolivia.
The Federal Police (PF) was called to carry out technical expertise and confirm the total volume of the substance. The body also assumes the drug custody ea conducting the criminal investigation. In addition to the Revenue and the Federal Police, the Brazilian Armyo Gefron from Mato Grosso and State Technical-Scientific Police.
According to the Revenue, the loads remain in Brazilian territory under inspection and there is no possibility of returning the material to the country of origin. The forensic examination and final weighing procedures continue to be carried out to conclude the incident.
