Over the past decades, Brazilian criminal organizations such as Comando Vermelho (CV) and Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) have diversified their activities beyond drug trafficking, advancing into the clandestine trade of goods such as cigarettes, vapes, electronics, alcoholic beverages, and medications. Smuggling, especially from Paraguay, guarantees these factions profits exceeding 500%, significantly increasing their earnings from illegality.
These profits serve to finance other operational fronts of the gangs, in a strategy of economic expansion of illegality. Criminals use the capital obtained to recruit supporters and "employees," purchase weapons, corrupt police officers and other state agents, and expand the logistical capacity around their illegal activities.
Smuggling between Brazil and Paraguay moves approximately R$ 60 billion annually, a value that represents almost double the trade balance between the two countries. This practice represents a direct challenge to authorities and the state in general.
