On Sunday, Brazilian Federal Revenue, in collaboration with Federal Police, seized a large cache of contraband smartphones valued at over R$1 million, hidden inside four cars with altered structures. The vehicles were traveling in convoy along the BR-277 highway, a common route in the central region of Paraná. Upon being stopped, the drivers provided inconsistent information, raising suspicions among the authorities.

During a physical inspection of the vehicles, authorities discovered plastic materials used to conceal the smartphones within the air box of one car, leading to further investigation. Upon further inspection at the Federal Revenue office in Ponta Grossa, officials found that modifications had been made to the internal structures of all four vehicles, revealing hidden compartments where the smartphones were stashed.

As a result of the operation, two drivers were arrested in the act and taken into custody by the Federal Police. This operation highlights ongoing issues with contraband and smuggling activities in Brazil, particularly concerning high-value consumer goods such as smartphones that are often illegally imported. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by authorities in combating smuggling in the region.