Police uncover fertilizer diversion scheme involving cargo from Port of Paranaguá

Paraná state civil police arrested seven men in the act during an operation that dismantled an alleged fertilizer adulteration scheme in Ponta Grossa, in the Campos Gerais region. The operation took place on Wednesday night (10) and also led to the seizure of trucks, machinery, cash, cellphones and tonnes of material allegedly used in the fraud.

The arrests are part of an investigation into the diversion and adulteration of fertilizer cargo transported from the Port of Paranaguá. According to police, at least three reports filed by affected companies followed a similar pattern, leading investigators to the warehouse allegedly used by the group.

In one case under investigation, a 40-tonne shipment of potassium chloride valued at about R$110,000 had roughly 80% of the product replaced with a material identified as calcium. In another case, a cargo valued at more than R$143,000 was delivered to a recipient in Goiás with contents different from those originally loaded in Paranaguá.

A third case involved a truck that left the Paraná coast, deviated from its planned route for about four hours and later delivered adulterated fertilizer to the final customer.

Lucas Mariano Mendes, the police chief in charge of the investigation, said the repeated pattern led investigators to focus on identifying the site where the adulteration was allegedly taking place.

“Because of the convergence of information provided by the victims, especially regarding route deviations and adulteration of the same type of product, the investigation focused its efforts on identifying the warehouse used by the suspects,” he said.

When officers arrived at the site, they found heavy movement of people and machinery, along with large amounts of fertilizer and other granulated materials. While checking the documentation for a shipment being handled at the time, investigators found that the cargo had left Paranaguá bound for Telêmaco Borba, with no justification for being unloaded in Ponta Grossa.

According to the Civil Police, the truck driver responsible for the cargo admitted he was to be paid R$8,000 to divert the shipment to the warehouse. He also told investigators the fertilizer would be mixed with other substances before being sent to its final destination.

Based on the evidence, the driver and six other people were arrested in the act on charges of substance adulteration, adulteration of a product intended for consumption and aggravated theft.

During the operation, police seized a tractor-truck, a semitrailer, a wheel loader, three forklifts, cellphones belonging to the suspects, R$2,382 in cash, checks, 30 big bags containing material similar to calcium, as well as fertilizer seals and invoices.

All seized material was sent for analysis and will be used as evidence as the investigation continues.

Poor storage conditions drew investigators’ attention

In addition to the alleged adulteration scheme, police said the warehouse was operating under conditions considered unsuitable for storing and handling fertilizer.

Officers reported standing water, flooded areas, waste scattered across the floor and irregular disposal of materials. They also found poor hygiene conditions and a lack of sanitary and environmental controls.

Investigators also found granulated material stored directly on the floor, without any proper isolation or protection, a condition considered incompatible with standards required for this type of activity.

Paraná’s forensic police inspected the site and collected samples of the products found there. The tests are expected to determine the composition of the materials and the extent of the adulteration.

Investigation continues

The seven people arrested were sent to the prison system and remain at the disposal of the courts.

Police said the investigation is continuing to identify other possible members of the scheme and determine whether companies or transport operators were involved in the adulteration and diversion of the cargo.

Source: Gazeta do Paraná

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