Joint law enforcement in Paraná, Brazil, seized approximately $130,000 worth of smuggled e-cigarettes hidden in an abandoned truck

Key Points:

• Action background and triggering factors: The event occurred on the 27th, in the rural area of Mercedes in the western part of the state of Paraná, Brazil. Law enforcement officers on patrol discovered three high-speed suspected illegal goods transport caravans, attempting to intercept them which led to a police chase. 
• Smuggling goods and hiding situation: The police found about 28 boxes of e-cigarettes in the abandoned vehicle by the suspects, with a market value of about 700,000 reais (approximately $130,000), originally planned to flow into the illegal market in Brazil. 
• Law enforcement agency and action results: This operation was jointly conducted by the Federal Police and the Border Police Battalion (BPFron), seizing the smuggled e-cigarettes and vehicles involved. Currently, the goods and vehicles have been handed over to the Guairá Federal Police Station.

2Firsts, September 29, 2025 - According to correiodolago on September 28th, in the rural area of Mercedes in the western region of Parana state, Brazil, authorities seized a shipment of smuggled e-cigarettes worth approximately 700,000 reais (about 130,000 dollars). The contraband was hidden in a vehicle that had been abandoned during a police chase.

According to information provided by the police, law enforcement officers conducting patrols in the area spotted three cars traveling at high speeds, suspected to be forming a convoy transporting illegal goods. When they attempted to intercept, the suspects fled in their vehicles.

During the operation, a vehicle was abandoned and the occupants took the opportunity to escape. Police found approximately 28 boxes of e-cigarettes inside the car, which were originally intended to be smuggled into the illegal market in Brazil.

Currently, the relevant goods and vehicles have been transferred to the Federal Police headquarters in Guaira. This operation was conducted jointly by the Federal Police and the Border Police Battalion (BPFron).