A criminal organization that traded in illegal pesticides was liquidated in the South Caucasus

A criminal organization that illegally imported, transported, stored and illegally traded Argentine pesticides was liquidated by the Federal Police on Tuesday morning (29).

Operation Zahir was carried out in towns in the far west of Santa Catarina. – Photo: Federal Police/Disclosure/ND

The group, headquartered in the far west of Santa Catarina, is responsible for the internalization of pesticides in Brazil across the dry border between the cities of Dionisio Cerqueira, Barrasán in the state of Parana and Bernardo de Yrigoyen in Argentina.

The actions of the Federal Police were carried out as part of Operation Zahir. Five search and arrest warrants issued by the Federal Court were carried out in the cities of Saltinho and Campo Ere, Santa Catarina and Barracao, Paraná state.

Federal Police spokesman in charge of the investigation, Thiago Nazario dos Santos, said investigations were conducted in homes in rural and urban areas, commercial establishments and the legislative assembly building. “The goal is to obtain evidence and seize materials and tools used in the crime of a criminal organization.”

Operation Zahir was launched on Tuesday (29) to eliminate the criminal organization. – Video: Federal Police/Disclosure/ND

According to the delegate, smuggled pesticides of foreign origin, vehicles used in investigated crimes, 8,000 reais in cash and other financial assets resulting from illegal activities were confiscated.

The operation also collected firearms, documents, cell phones, computers and other digital media that could help solve the crime.

Criminal organization and environmental crime

In addition to the criminal community, criminals will have to answer for environmental crimes. The cumulative penalty can be up to eight years in prison.

According to the Federal Police, the name of Operation Zahir is an Arabic word meaning “something very real that cannot go unnoticed.” Thus, as well as the actions of a criminal organization, which, given the volume of illegal actions, did not go unnoticed.