This Thursday (7), the FF (Federal Police) carried out search and arrest warrants in Palos, in Greater Florianopolis, in an operation to identify a criminal organization responsible for the import, transport, distribution and illegal sale of foreign wines.

Those suspected of illegally selling wine will face charges of smuggling, money laundering and criminal organization – Photo: PF/Divulgação/ND

Illegal sale of wine has become the object of activity of the PF in Santa Catarina

A total of 15 search and arrest warrants were issued for the illegal sale of wines in the cities of Porto Vera Cruz (RS), Santo Cristo (RS), Tres de Mayo (RS), Santa Rosa (RS), Palosa (South Africa) ). and Goiania (GO).

After entering Brazil, the bottles were removed, stored and distributed in Santa Catarina and Goiás. Photo: Reproduction/ND.

According to the PF, investigations began in 2021, when about two thousand bottles of wine were seized without tax receipts. Police then identified a criminal group that brought items from Argentina through the Porto Vera Cruz region to Rio Grande do Sul.

After entering Brazil, the bottles were removed, stored and shipped to Santa Catarina and Goiás. To do this, the criminals used false invoices, as if the documents referred to wine juices.

After entering Brazil, the bottles were removed, stored and distributed in Santa Catarina and Goiás – Photo: Federal Police/North Dakota

Federal police said those suspected of illegally selling wine will be liable for crimes related to smuggling, money laundering and criminal organization, with penalties that could total up to 22 years in prison in addition to paying a fine.