Criminal gangs in the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area are increasingly using illegal GPS signal blockers to evade detection of stolen cargo trucks, with a significant rise in seizures by police.
Criminal syndicates specializing in cargo theft in the Metropolitan Region of Rio de Janeiro are ramping up their use of illegal GPS and cell phone signal blockers to hinder the tracking of stolen trucks. In January of this year, the Military Police reported a surge in such equipment seizures, with numbers rising to 29 compared to just 6 in the same month last year. This spike represents over 30% of all signal blockers taken by police throughout 2025, when the total number of confiscated devices reached 86.
The illegal devices function by intentionally interfering with radio frequencies, making it challenging for tracking systems to operate effectively and complicating the recovery of stolen cargo. This tactic is a growing concern for authorities as it not only complicates law enforcement's efforts to recover stolen goods but also exacerbates the larger issue of organized crime in the region.
A study by the Federation of Industries of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Firjan) estimates that cargo theft resulted in direct financial losses of approximately R$ 314 million in the state in the previous year. This significant economic impact underscores the urgent need for enhanced measures to combat such crimes and their associated technological means, as the use of illegal signal blockers becomes more prevalent among criminals.
