April 23, 2025
Reading time • 5 min
Enforcement activities – Federal Revenue Service and Federal Police seize R$750,000 in illegal goods during Operation Aion in Uberlândia/MG
On Wednesday, April 23th, in a joint action, the Federal Revenue Service and the Federal Police carried out Operation Aion in the city of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, resulting in the seizure of approximately R$750,000 in pirated and smuggled products.
The operation, named Aion, which in Greek represents a concept of eternal and cyclical time, refers to the passage of time and the objective of the mission. This investigation is an offshoot of Operation Fertile Earth, which took place in July 2024.
Investigations are continuing with the aim of identifying others involved and the destination of the irregularly traded goods. One of those investigated had already been indicted previously, in 2024, for possessing an irregular cargo of electronics, including watches and smartphones.
During the inspection, agents visited a commercial establishment selling new watches without an invoice or any import documentation, raising suspicions of irregularities in the origin of the products. The investigations indicate that the goods were probably brought in illegally from Paraguay, constituting an attempt to enter the Brazilian market illegally.
The crackdown aims to combat unfair competition with the domestic industry and authorized importers, as well as curbing tax evasion and the entry of products that do not meet safety and quality regulations. According to the authorities, these operations are essential to protect the country’s economy, guarantee the health and safety of consumers, preserve formal jobs and promote a fairer and safer business environment.
