The Federal Highway Police (PRF) apprehended 15.4 kg of cocaine molded in the shape of plates during a routine inspection on BR-316 in Capanema, in northeastern Pará, on Thursday, October 11. The operation took place around 5:20 PM, where officers were checking a bus that had departed from Belém heading to Natal in Rio Grande do Norte. During the examination of the passengers' documentation, law enforcement noticed the nervous demeanor of a 37-year-old woman from Manaus, prompting further investigation.

Upon questioning, the woman initially claimed she was traveling from Belém to Fortaleza, but her conflicting statements raised suspicions. Upon inspecting her luggage, authorities discovered 41 plates displaying unusually identifiable characteristics. Initially, she claimed the plates were intended as gifts for family members. However, after further scrutiny, she shifted her story, stating the items were part of an inheritance, indicating potential deception and pointing to her involvement in drug trafficking.

This incident highlights ongoing issues with drug trafficking within Brazil, especially along well-traveled routes like the BR-316, which connect various regions of the country. The seizure serves not only as a law enforcement success but also as a stark reminder of the creative methods traffickers employ to evade detection, as well as the importance of vigilance among transport authorities in combating drug smuggling.