Young Brazilian medicine student in Paraguay intercepted with hundreds of smartphones at border
A Brazilian university student enrolled in medicine in Paraguay was stopped at the Friendship Bridge whilst attempting to cross into Brazilian territory with a shipment of 460 mobile phones.
Young Brazilian medicine student in Paraguay intercepted with hundreds of smartphones at border
Agents from the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service detained a young man studying medicine in Paraguay during a routine search at the Friendship Bridge after he was caught transporting a large quantity of mobile phones. The seizure occurred on Monday morning.
The man, who resides in Presidente Prudente, São Paulo state, was driving a vehicle that caught the attention of inspectors. Upon examining the boot, agents discovered 460 mobile phone units from different manufacturers and models. The merchandise was valued at approximately 400,000 reais, which is equivalent to roughly 456 million guaranis at the current exchange rate.
The entire shipment was confiscated by customs authorities. The vehicle was removed to the Customs yard, where appropriate procedural measures will be taken. The detained young man was taken to the Federal Police headquarters in Foz do Iguaçu.
The case reopens discussion regarding the large contingent of Brazilians seeking education in healthcare in the neighbouring country. It is estimated that approximately 35,000 Brazilian citizens are enrolled in medicine courses in Paraguay, with a strong presence in border localities. Incidents involving students from this academic community have been recorded previously in the border region between Ciudad del Este and Foz do Iguaçu.
On the same date, two other customs operations resulted in arrests in the border area. A Paraguayan driver was apprehended with 17 kilograms of hashish hidden in the spare tyre of his vehicle. In another stop, two Paraguayan nationals, who were travelling in a car with plates from the neighbouring country, were discovered with 17.675 kilograms of the same drug substance, also concealed in the spare tyre.
According to the official bulletin from the Brazilian customs authority, the driver of the Paraguayan vehicle stated that he would transport the drug to a shop located in the Vila Portes neighbourhood in Foz do Iguaçu. The passenger claimed to be unaware of the presence of the narcotic in the vehicle — a version corroborated by the driver himself. Both were taken, along with the seized drug, to the Federal Police station.
Information from La Nación
Source: Google News PY — Crime