Key Facts
- ✓ Police seized 10.044 kilograms of cocaine during a highway inspection on the SP-270 highway in Álvares Machado.
- ✓ A 26-year-old pregnant woman was arrested after police found drugs hidden in her luggage amidst coffee powder.
- ✓ A 22-year-old Bolivian national was caught with cocaine tablets strapped to his back using an elastic belt.
- ✓ The suspects were traveling from Puerto Quijarro, Bolivia, to São Paulo city, where they were to receive payment for the delivery.
- ✓ None of the three individuals arrested possessed prior criminal records, according to police statements.
- ✓ The group was promised R$ 5,000 and US$ 200 respectively for transporting the narcotics across the border.
Quick Summary
A routine highway inspection in the interior of São Paulo state resulted in the arrest of three individuals and the seizure of a significant amount of cocaine. The incident occurred during the Operação Impacto on the SP-270 highway.
Authorities intercepted an interstate bus traveling from Mato Grosso do Sul to Rio de Janeiro, leading to the discovery of a drug trafficking operation involving a pregnant woman and two Bolivian nationals. The suspects were found with narcotics concealed in luggage and on a passenger's body.
The Highway Inspection
The Polícia Militar Rodoviária conducted the operation at kilometer 573.500 on the Raposo Tavares highway, in the municipality of Álvares Machado. The inspection took place in the afternoon on the 19th of January.
During the operation, police teams boarded an interstate bus carrying 39 passengers. The vehicle was traveling the route between Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro.
The initial search focused on a 22-year-old Bolivian national seated in chair number 29. During a personal search, officers discovered two cocaine tablets secured to his back using an elastic belt.
The man's mother, a 46-year-old woman seated in the adjacent chair, did not possess narcotics. However, she reportedly confessed to convincing her son to transport the drugs. Both had boarded the bus in Puerto Quijarro, Bolivia, and were scheduled to disembark in São Paulo city.
Hidden in Plain Sight
While inspecting the vehicle, officers noticed the nervous behavior of another passenger, a 26-year-old woman who was seven months pregnant. She was seated in chair number 27.
When questioned, the woman informed police that she had two bags stored in the bus's external luggage compartment. Upon inspecting these bags, officers made a significant discovery.
Police located three packages containing base paste cocaine. Two of the packages contained cocaine tablets, while the third held capsules ready for ingestion. The drugs were cleverly hidden amidst coffee powder to mask their scent and appearance.
The pregnant woman stated that she had also received the narcotics in Bolivia. She was promised a payment of R$ 5,000 to transport the drugs to the state capital of São Paulo.
The Seizure & Suspects
In total, authorities confiscated 10.044 kilograms of cocaine. The seizure consisted of four tablets and 496 capsules of the drug.
According to police reports, none of the three individuals involved had prior criminal records. This suggests they were likely first-time couriers in a larger trafficking network.
Strict protocol was followed during the searches. Female officers conducted the personal searches of the two women involved.
Following the seizure, the suspects were taken to the Delegacia da Polícia Federal in Presidente Prudente. Their arrest was ratified, and they remain at the disposal of the Justice system. Additionally, three cell phones were seized from the group.
Operational Context
The Operação Impacto is a targeted initiative aimed at combating crime on the state's highway network. The use of commercial buses allows traffickers to blend in with regular passengers.
The route from Bolivia into São Paulo is a known corridor for international drug trafficking. Smugglers often recruit individuals with no criminal history to transport narcotics.
The suspects were promised payments in both US Dollars and Brazilian Reais. The Bolivian nationals were to receive $200, while the pregnant woman was promised R$ 5,000.
The method of concealment—using coffee powder to hide the drugs—demonstrates the sophisticated techniques used to evade detection during routine checks.
Looking Ahead
The successful interception highlights the ongoing efforts of the Polícia Militar Rodoviária to secure the state's highways. The operation prevented a large quantity of drugs from reaching the streets of São Paulo.
The suspects now face serious charges related to drug trafficking. The case will proceed through the federal justice system.
This incident serves as a reminder of the complex challenges facing law enforcement at international borders and along major transit routes. Continued vigilance remains essential.
