The Military Highway Police seized various electronics, including numerous iPhones, during an operation in Assis, Brazil, after discovering them without proper documentation.
On the afternoon of October 25, 2023, the Military Highway Police conducted an operation named Impacto on the Rachid Rayes Highway (SP-333) in Assis, São Paulo. During the operation, a vehicle with three occupants was stopped, leading to a search that uncovered a variety of electronic devices lacking proper fiscal documentation. Among the items seized were 13 iPhones of different models, eight smartphones, three iPads, and ten tablet styluses.
The seized goods, along with the vehicle, were taken to the Federal Revenue office in Bauru. The three individuals found in the vehicle were questioned by the authorities and subsequently released, though the incident has been classified as descaminho, which refers to the illegal transport of goods without proper tax documentation. This operation highlights ongoing efforts by Brazilian law enforcement to combat the trafficking of unauthorized and potentially smuggled electronics.
Such operations are not uncommon in Brazil, where the importation of electronic goods is heavily regulated, and the government seeks to prevent tax evasion and maintain market competitiveness. The seizure serves as a reminder of the challenges law enforcement faces in addressing smuggling, especially in areas near major highways where such activities may occur frequently.
