The Brazilian Federal Revenue intercepted a shipment containing 280 sets of parts and components for AR-15 rifles during an inspection conducted at Santos Port (SP). According to the agency, the materials were hidden in one of 174 boxes that were part of an unaccompanied baggage consignment.
In the box, 20 bolt groups and bolt carriers were found, along with 260 sets of parts and components for AR-15 rifles. The material had been shipped from Miami, United States, and was discovered during a physical inspection of a passenger's luggage arriving from abroad.
The agency classified the occurrence as fraud intended to conceal the owner of merchandise that had not been declared and to use the shipment of baggage to the country to bring it in illegally. The Federal Revenue emphasized that the possessor of the cargo is personally responsible for all contents found inside the container.
According to the Surveillance and Enforcement area of the Federal Revenue, the weapon parts found, if assembled, could form complete weapons with the aid of components manufactured on a 3D printer. The items were seized and handed over to the Federal Police for Union judicial police procedures.
Information on the seizure will be shared with U.S. customs authorities. The exchange of information is provided for in the normative instruction that created the Strategic Risk Alert Dissemination System for Sensitive Goods and Weapons (Desarma). One of Desarma's objectives is to increase the rigor and effectiveness of combating crimes of smuggling, customs fraud, drug trafficking and arms trafficking, through cooperation between Customs agencies.
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