At least eight people were arrested Tuesday in an operation carried out by the Brazilian Federal Police and Interpol with the support of authorities from Spain, Portugal, and Switzerland against three international drug trafficking organizations.
Seven of those arrested were detained in Brazil and another in Portugal, the Paraná Federal Police confirmed to Efe.
According to the same source, two other arrest warrants are underway in Spain.
The actions in Brazil took place in the states of Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Sao Paulo, where authorities also issued 80 search warrants, froze bank accounts, and seized real estate and luxury vehicles.
According to police, three drug trafficking groups recruited young people who posed as tourists and brought drugs to countries in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
“These groups have caused serious social damage by recruiting young people with no criminal record, who generally have few resources, under the promise of easy and exorbitant earnings, and fooling them into thinking they can travel to Europe, paying all expenses, even for clothing,” the report released by the police said.
Commissioner Diogo Ribero said that since the start of the investigation in 2017, authorities had confirmed 84 drug shipments to Europe, 54 of which resulted in flagrant arrests.
Those arrested will face international drug trafficking, criminal association, and money laundering charges, which in Brazil’s case could result in cumulative prison sentences of up to 33 years.