A 41-year-old man was arrested on the morning of October 26 while driving a truck loaded with contraband cigarettes on the General Euclides de Oliveira Figueiredo Highway (SP-563) in Mirante do Paranapanema, São Paulo. According to the Highway Police, the operation took place at kilometer 30 of the highway around 10:30 AM, where authorities discovered 20,000 packs of cigarettes in the truck's bed. The driver failed to present any tax documentation for the cargo, leading to charges of smuggling.

The police indicated that the driver had a prior criminal record for receipt of stolen goods, a crime involving the possession or transport of goods without proof of legal origin. His previous offense likely influenced the police's decision to investigate the vehicle more thoroughly. Upon uncovering the large quantity of smuggled goods, the situation escalated to more serious legal implications for the driver.

Following the arrest, the case was forwarded to the Federal Police Department in Presidente Prudente, where legal actions were initiated, including the seizure of both the cargo and the vehicle. This incident highlights ongoing issues with smuggling operations in Brazil, particularly concerning tobacco products, and the challenges law enforcement faces in curbing such illegal activities.