Brasília – An operation by the Receita Federal in Foz do Iguaçu (PR), on the border with Paraguay, resulted in the apprehension and destruction of half a million illegal CDs (pirated goods) and 250,000 packs of contraband cigarettes.

According to the head of the Receita Federal, Jorge Rachid, who participated in the operation, the market in contraband material is detrimental to the creation of jobs. "Thousands of small businesses are forced to close their doors because of competition from illegal imports," he said.

Rachid said the crackdown this year in what is known as the Triple Border region (where Brazil has a border with both Argentina and Paraguay) has resulted in an increase of 42% in illegal goods confiscated and destroyed (goods worth around US$13.4 million - R$39.3 million).

Rachid explains that some 565 false stores (fronts for illegal goods) have been shut down and 204 buses that transported contraband items apprehended (it is estimated that the buses transport goods worth US$343 million (R$1 billion) annually).

"We have dealt the contraband business a hard blow. We are pulling the rug, their transportation system, out from under them," says Jose Carlos de Araujo, a Foz do Iguaçu police officer. At the beginning of the year there were 350 buses that made regular trips to Foz do Iguaçu. That number has now been reduced to around 120.

Agência Brasil
Reporter:Juliana Cézar Nunes
Translator: Allen Bennett
09/08/2004