São Paulo police seize over half a ton of cocaine hidden in sugar shipment

The São Paulo Civil Police located more than half a ton of cocaine hidden among packages of sugar in Cubatão, a coastal city in São Paulo, on Monday, July 15. According to the São Paulo Public Security Secretariat (SSP-SP), the drugs were concealed in bags inside a container at a terminal. A man suspected of involvement in the crime was arrested.

According to a police report, unusual activity during the container loading phase drew the attention of employees at the company responsible for receiving and stuffing the products in the containers.

The workers reported that the container had left the company’s headquarters after being loaded and was on its way to the Port of Santos as planned, but it returned the next day without being scheduled and with signs of tampering with the container’s seals.

The employees contacted police officers from the 1st Police District of Cubatão, who inspected the cargo at the company’s headquarters and confirmed it had been altered. Authorities found 11 bags of white powder resembling cocaine, a suspicion later confirmed by forensic analysis. Police seized a total of 550 kilograms of drugs.

The São Paulo Civil Police (PC-SP) also arrested a company employee allegedly involved in the case. He reportedly authorized the unauthorized movement of the container and has been charged with drug trafficking.

Drug Route

Police officers indicated that the cocaine was likely intended for export to Europe, Asia, or Africa, where the value of cocaine can reach up to $80,000 per kilogram. Authorities estimate that the seizure could result in losses of up to R$240 million for organized crime.

Source: Extra

Click here to access this story’s original rendition in Portuguese: https://extra.globo.com/blogs/radar-brasil/noticia/2024/07/policia-civil-apreende-meia-tonelada-de-cocaina-em-conteineres-de-acucar-em-sp.ghtml

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