The General Directorate of Customs dismantled an attempt to smuggle marijuana valued at more than $150 million in the Posadas-Encarnacion International Bridge, which connects the city of Posadas (northeast of Argentina) with the city of Encarnación (south of Paraguay). The specialized agents discovered that a Paraguayan-owned car was carrying the drugs hidden in its components conditioned for smuggling.
According to Customs, the operation began at the checkpoint entry into Argentina. There, the agents noticed that the occupant of the car was noticeably nervous and evasive when answering the required questions, so they decided to intensify the control.
An first inspection of the vehicle detected a false bottom in the trunk and irregularities in the bumper, indication that it could have been manipulated. Thus, they passed the vehicle through the scanner, which detected inconsistencies in the same places.
In this context, the Customs proceeded to dismantle the trunk and bumpers, where there was indeed 72 Bricks of a substance that tested positive in marijuana drug tests. The load of cannabis sativa, which weighed 62,4 kg, has an estimated value of $133.536.000.
The seized drug
Customs agents notified the courts and the vehicle was intervened. Federal Court of Posadas, who ordered the Paraguayan citizen to be detained and the drugs and the vehicle to be seized. The operation that was dismantled constitutes an attempt at aggravated smuggling, in accordance with Article 866 of the Customs Code.
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