A Brazilian medical student studying in Paraguay and his grandmother were caught with 462 illegal weight-loss pens during a routine inspection in Paraná en route to São Paulo.
In a routine inspection on BR-277 in São Miguel do Iguaçu, Paraná, a Brazilian medical student who studies in Paraguay and his grandmother were found transporting 462 weight-loss pens. These pens, intended for Campinas in São Paulo, included brands that are banned from sale in Brazil, as highlighted by the Federal Revenue Service (Receita Federal). The brands confiscated include Lipoless, TG, Tirzapep, and Synedica, which have regulations prohibiting their sale by the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA).
The situation escalated when the student admitted he was set to receive R$ 6,000 for transporting these products from Paraguay to São Paulo. The presence of his grandmother in the vehicle and the profile of the driver led inspectors to suspect an attempt to lessen the scrutiny typically placed during vehicle checks at control points. Although there were no arrests made during the operation, the Federal Revenue service has initiated processes of representation against them for the illegal transport of these products.
This incident raises significant concerns about the ongoing issue of illegal product transport across borders in Brazil, especially regarding health-related items that may pose risks to consumer safety. The use of vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly, to carry contraband is indicative of broader patterns among smugglers attempting to evade law enforcement scrutiny that could have serious repercussions for public health and the integrity of legal markets.
