Brazil's Federal Revenue Service seized approximately 45 bottles of rare foreign wines during an inspection on BR-277 in São Miguel do Iguaçu, western Paraná. The shipment was preliminarily valued at roughly R$500 thousand. The stop occurred around 12:50 AM this Sunday, approximately 50 kilometers from the Paraguay border.
The beverages lacked tax documentation and there was no proof they had entered the country regularly. The vehicle was occupied by five people, all residents of Foz do Iguaçu: two couples and a teenage girl. The driver stated he was transporting the wines to a friend in São Paulo state and that he had offered a ride to the other passengers, whose destination was Pilar do Sul (SP).
The wines and vehicle were referred to the Federal Revenue Service Customs office in Foz do Iguaçu, where appropriate procedures will be followed. No one was arrested on the occasion. According to the Federal Revenue Service, criminal tax reports will be filed against those responsible for transporting the irregular goods.
