Federal Police operation seizes 24 tons of wheat flour smuggled from Argentina

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa), the Federal Police (PF) and the Federal Revenue Service (RFB) seized irregular and smuggled products from Argentina this week. The action took place in the municipality of Foz do Iguaçu (PR), in the region close to the Tancredo Neves International Bridge customs, after federal police officers located an irregular deposit of products.

On the property where the deposit was located, around 24 tons of wheat flour of Argentine origin and without import consent were seized. An attached residence was also identified at the location that also stored smuggled products. The site was closed due to poor hygienic and sanitary conditions and storage of illegal products.

During the action, two establishments were identified that were linked to the smuggled goods. One of the locations is a bakery, where marks were seen on the wall indicating that there was an illegal supply of flour. This fact is confirmed by the owner who reported using it and knowing its origin.

The other establishment is a supermarket that was inspected by federal agricultural tax auditors. During the inspection, 300 kilos of Argentine charcoal were found, as well as 68 liters of colonial wine with labeling that did not comply with current standards and legislation, in addition to not having a certification seal. The presence of a small amount of flour was also found at the site.

“We must remember that any agricultural product introduced illegally into the country poses a risk, both to public health and to the entry of diseases and agricultural pests, as it is not a product with a certified and known origin”, warns the agent of the Sanitary and Industrial Inspection of Agricultural Products. Animal Origin, Rodrigo Batista, who worked on the Vigifronteira program.

The three properties inspected belong to members of the same family. In addition to the products, two vehicles used to transport illegal products were seized. The person responsible for the deposit was arrested red-handed and the products and vehicles were sent to the Federal Revenue headquarters.