The Brazilian Federal Highway Police (PRF-AC) successfully intercepted around 12,000 packs of smuggled foreign cigarettes during three separate operations conducted on the morning of Tuesday, November 3, on BR-364 in Acre, with the majority of the haul found in the municipality of Senador Guiomard. In the two incidents recorded at kilometer 87 of the highway, officers seized 11,500 packs of the contraband during routine patrols.

The first operation took place around 7:30 AM when police identified a vehicle with tinted windows. Upon signaling for the car to stop, the driver abandoned the vehicle on the roadside and fled toward a swampy area near the road. Inside the abandoned automobile, law enforcement discovered 5,000 packs of Bolivian cigarettes, along with a cell phone and documents, which are likely to help in tracing the owner of the vehicle.

The increase in cigarette smuggling in the region is a significant concern for authorities as it contributes to economic losses for the country and poses health risks. The actions of the PRF highlight ongoing efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking and reinforce the need for sustained vigilance along key transportation routes in Brazil, particularly in areas prone to smuggling activities.