On Tuesday, the Brazilian Federal Police arrested a man accused of sending 124 kg of cocaine to France in a submerged compartment of a ship that departed from the Port of Santos, São Paulo. The operation took place as authorities carried out temporary arrest warrants issued by the Federal Court of Santos. The arrest is part of a larger investigation that began in May 2022 in France after the cocaine was discovered, with additional suspects still at large for their roles in international trafficking, money laundering, and organized crime.

The investigation revealed that the drug was initially concealed in what is referred to as a 'caixa de mar' or sea box, indicating a sophisticated method of smuggling intended to bypass security measures. The police also noted that the networks involved in this operation were traced back to Santos and Valinhos in São Paulo, suggesting a concentrated area for criminal activities. This points to an established nexus for drug trafficking operations using seaports in Brazil.

Moreover, the Federal Police highlighted their collaboration with authorities in Europe to track the movement of the drug and identify the smugglers. As two other members of the criminal group remain at large, the success of this operation underscores the ongoing challenge of tackling international drug trafficking networks and the importance of international cooperation in law enforcement efforts against such crimes.