Police dismantles clandestine shipyard and seizes smuggled cargo in Marajó
The structure was used for assembling large vessels, and the police intercepted boats with over 35,000 packs of smuggled cigarettes.
During an operation carried out between June 2 and 5, the Military Police of Pará, through the 8th Battalion of the PM (8th BPM), dismantled a clandestine shipyard on Thursday (5) in a dense forest area, at the Glória creek, in the counter-coast region of the municipality of Soure, in the Marajó Archipelago.
The action is part of the corporation's rural patrolling strategies and also resulted in the seizure of a million-dollar cargo of cigarettes smuggled from Suriname. At the site, the teams found three high-powered engines, propellers, panels, and various nautical equipment used in large vessels.
According to the PM, the structure was being used as a base for assembling artisanal submarines, often employed by criminal organizations in international trafficking. The estimated value of the material exceeds R$ 4 million.
Continuing the operation, the teams approached two vessels from the municipality of Abaetetuba, which tried to flee upon spotting the PM boat. After a chase and approach, about 35,000 packs of cigarettes from the brands Mac, Gift Box, and Nise Baisha were found, all of foreign origin and without legal documentation. The cargo is valued at around R$ 5 million.
Six men were arrested in the act and taken to the Civil Police Station of Soure, along with the seized materials, which also include cell phones, jewelry, and cash.
For the commander of the 8th BPM, Major PM Andrei Rocha, the action reflects the ongoing work against organized crime in the region: “The counter-coast of Marajó is a strategic area that has been used as a route for environmental crimes and international trafficking. With this operation, we show that the Military Police is attentive, present, and prepared to protect our population and the territory of Pará,” said the officer.
The operation was supported by various units of the battalion, in addition to specialized vessels for river patrolling. Investigations are ongoing under the responsibility of the Civil Police, which will investigate the origin and final destination of the seized material.
