Corumbá, a city in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul, has emerged as a crucial route for a specific type of drug trafficking involving 'human mules' who carry cocaine from Bolivia into Brazil. According to Brazil's Federal Police and Federal Revenue agency, this trafficking operation tends to recruit vulnerable individuals from Bolivia, offering them money in exchange for transporting cocaine, often concealed in capsules within their bodies. The primary destination for this illicit substance is São Paulo, one of Brazil's largest cities.

Each day, between 8 to 10 buses cross the border from Bolivia to Brazil in Corumbá, with estimates from the Federal Revenue indicating that each vehicle may contain up to eight individuals smuggling cocaine internally. This method of drug transportation, known as ingestion transport, effectively turns human bodies into 'containers' that bypass stringent border checks. The police have highlighted that these operations are often orchestrated by individuals known as 'coyotes,' who select potential mules, prepare the drugs for ingestion, and provide instructions on the route to Brazil.

The increasing prevalence of this trafficking method raises significant concerns regarding border security and the exploitation of vulnerable populations. Authorities are actively monitoring the situation and implementing strategies to combat such trafficking, but challenges remain, particularly in addressing the allure of financial compensation for those in dire circumstances. This ongoing issue highlights the complexities of drug trafficking networks within the region and underscores the need for collaborative efforts between Brazil and Bolivia to tackle this serious crime.