Megaoperation seizes 350 tons of irregular agricultural products and inputs in RS

A mega-operation by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Mapa), together with the Federal Revenue and the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Seapdr), seized 350 tons of irregular agricultural products and inputs . The action took place in 16 municipalities in the state with the aim of combating imports, trade and irregular transit of these products in the border region. In total, 126 infraction notices were issued, with fines that could reach R$1,148 million.

The operation, called Ronda Agro IX, of the Agricultural Defense Surveillance Program for International Borders (Vigifronteira), was carried out from September 27th to October 2nd. Three tons of smuggled soybeans were seized; five tons of smuggled corn; 5,5 tons of products for use in animal feed, irregular or smuggled; 88,6 tons of animal products; 123,4 tons of seeds and 130,58 tons of pesticides, in addition to 10.858 bottles of smuggled drinks (wines, sparkling wines and beers) and 439 veterinary products.

391 cattle, 127 horses, four wild boars and one boar were also found illegally or suspected of having been smuggled, and two clandestine ports were identified.

The action also included the inspection of 707 vehicles in transit, at 44 fixed and moving barriers, 88 rural properties, four commercial establishments selling agricultural products and inputs and a fertilizer industry.

“This was the largest operation carried out by Vigifronteira. We had a volume of seizures and surprising actions, making it necessary to set up a logistical operation during the action to transport the seized cargo. The results of this mega-operation reinforce the importance of the integrated work of the bodies to combat organized crime”, highlights the federal agricultural tax auditor, Fábio Bessa.  

Federal agricultural tax auditors, agricultural activity agents and agricultural operational assistants from Mapa, Seapdr employees, as well as state agricultural inspectors and agricultural technicians from the Minas Gerais Agricultural Institute (IMA), from the Agricultural Defense Institute of Mato Grosso, participated in the mega operation. (Indea), the Agricultural Defense Agency of the State of Piauí (Adapi), the Agricultural Defense Agency of the State of Tocantins (Adapec), the Agricultural Defense Agency of the State of Maranhão (AGED) and the Agricultural Defense Institute of Acre (Idaf).

“The results of the operation highlight the efficiency of integration between the bodies involved, as well as the need for continuity of the inspection model, considering that agricultural defense is a matter of national security”, highlights the federal superintendent of Agriculture in Rio Grande do Sul , Helena Rugeri.

Integration

Operation Ronda Agro IX, carried out in conjunction with Operation Hórus of the Secretariat of Integrated Operations of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MJSP), had the support of the Military Brigade (BM/RS) and the Federal Highway Police (PRF).

Furthermore, considering the integrated character with customs control and public security bodies, three arrests were made, one for smuggling and two for embezzlement, and weapons and ammunition were seized.

“The participation of several bodies was fundamental to the success of the action. Products introduced into the country irregularly will be subject to the penalty of forfeiture by the Federal Revenue Service. The body will also represent offenders to the Federal Public Ministry for the crime of smuggling or embezzlement”, reports the head of the Smuggling and Embezzlement Repression Division in RS, Francisco Velter.

46 agricultural defense teams participated in the action, with 109 employees; eight RFB teams; three from the PRF; and 16 from BM/RS, totaling 186 employees who worked in the regions of Jaguarão, Bagé, Uruguaiana, Santana do Livramento, Alegrete, Tiradentes do Sul, Porto Xavier, Santo Augusto, Palmeira das Missões, Santa Rosa, São Luiz Gonzaga, Cruz Alta , Horizontina, Não Me Toque, Doutor Mauricio Cardoso and Estrela.