On Monday, a 40-year-old driver was arrested on BR-135 in Montes Claros during a police operation aimed at increased public safety before the Carnival festivities. The police had signaled for the driver to stop, but he ignored the command and continued on, leading to a chase that ended with his apprehension at the 388 km mark of the highway. Upon inspecting the vehicle, police discovered 18 packages of aluminum and 1,750 containers of gunpowder, all materials classified as controlled products due to their potential use in constructing explosives.

Authorities indicated that the driver did not possess any legal documentation to prove the lawful origin of the materials or the necessary authorization to transport them. During questioning, the driver claimed that he had purchased the materials in Santo Antônio do Monte, a municipality in Minas Gerais, and intended to sell them in the state of Bahia. The situation raises serious concerns about public safety, especially as Brazil prepares for the Carnival celebrations, where high crowds could be at risk if such explosive materials are improperly handled or used.

This incident reflects broader issues related to the regulation of explosive materials in Brazil and the challenges law enforcement faces in controlling illegal activities. The local police are now investigating the case further, and the seized materials have been kept for further evaluation as authorities seek to prevent similar incidents of unlawful transport of potentially dangerous items in the future.