Illegal market grows and requires greater state integration, say specialists
oglobo27 August 2026 at 16:08
Experts gathered at a seminar in Brasília stated that the growth of the illegal market in Brazil requires greater integration between public agencies, enforcement, intelligence, and regulatory and tax policies. Data from the Federal Revenue Service shows that R$ 2.2 billion in irregular goods were seized through June of this year, including cigarettes, electronics, and medications. The president of the National Forum Against Piracy and Illegality, Edson Vismona, highlighted that smuggling has undergone a transformation in recent decades, moving from small-scale transporters to more sophisticated and organized criminal structures.
The Transport Workers Union (SITRA) informed the workers of Horários do Funchal (HF) about the application of Law No. 46/2026, of August 17, which created a remuneration supplement for the role of 'Single Agent'. In the communication, the union thanked the workers for their "massive adherence," stating that the influx of new members made the union structure "instantaneously the most representative of Drivers within HF."
Brazilian national airports registered a 2.1% growth in the number of passengers in July, surpassing the Vinci network average. The cumulative growth in the first seven months of the year reached 2.5%.
The Volta deposit and refund system indicates on its website that 16 municipalities have no packaging collection points, but the managing entity SDR Portugal states that only five municipalities — Alcoutim, Mora, Ribeira de Pena, Santa Marta de Penaguião and Corvo — do not have equipment, blaming the website being out of date. Mayors from municipalities such as Oleiros, Mourão and Mora confirm the absence of machines, with populations having to travel dozens of kilometres to neighbouring municipalities to return packaging and recover the 0.10 euro deposit, criticizing the lack of equitable access to the system.
The Cais do Sodré station of the Lisbon Metro reopened this Thursday after 19 days closed for railway signaling works related to the future Circular Line. Green line circulation was resumed between Telheiras and Cais do Sodré, in both directions. The work carried out included preparing the network for the future operational configuration of the Circular Line, which is expected to come into operation in the first quarter of 2027 and will connect Rato to Cais do Sodré through the future Estrela and Santos stations, adding more than two kilometres to the network.
