Federal Police Conduct Operation "Vapore" to Crackdown on E-cigarette Sales

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Jul.10.2024

Federal Police Conduct Operation "Vapore" to Crackdown on E-cigarette Sales

Federal police carried out Operation "Vapore" in Mangaratiba, Rio de Janeiro, targeting illegal e-cigarette importers and sellers on Tuesday.

According to A Voz da Cidade, on July 9th, the Federal Police carried out an operation called "Vapore" early Tuesday morning to crack down on distributors and retailers in Mangaratiba (located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) who are illegally importing and selling e-cigarettes through social networks and websites.

The main objective of the first phase of Operation Vapore is to target distributors and retailers of these illegal e-cigarette products, especially those who have been selling them domestically despite the ban on importing, selling, and advertising e-cigarettes by the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) since 2009.

During the operation, a team from the Federal Police in Angra dos Reis (located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) carried out two search and seizure warrants issued by the Seventh Criminal Court of the Federal Court of Rio de Janeiro, conducting searches in the city of Mangaratiba.

During the execution of one of the search warrants, a man was arrested on the spot for smuggling e-cigarettes. The investigation revealed that the suspect was involved in importing, storing, and distributing e-cigarettes, primarily through social networks and online stores for illegal sales. Federal police have seized a batch of computer equipment for forensic examination. Currently, the suspect has been taken to the federal police station in Angra dos Reis for standard procedures, and will later be transferred to the state prison system pending a court decision.

Since 2009, the Brazilian National Health Agency has banned the importation, sale, and advertising of e-cigarettes. Recently, the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) has upheld this ban, making any illegal sale of e-cigarettes within Brazil punishable by a prison sentence of two to five years for smuggling.

References:

[1] Polícia Federal deflagra operação contra a importação e comercialização de cigarros eletrônicos

Also Read:

[1] Brazil Senate Delays Vote on E-cigarette Regulation Legislation Again

[2] Brazilian Senate Committee to Vote on E-cigarette Sales Legislation

[3] Brazilian Federal Police Seize 1500 Smuggled E-cigarettes in Victoria City

[4] Brazilian Police Seize Thousands of E-Cigarettes in Rio Raid

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