Italian national arrested at Galeão Airport with 52 bottles of poppers

A 49-year-old Italian national was arrested by the Federal Police at Galeão International Airport in Rio de Janeiro after arriving on a flight from London. During a routine inspection, authorities discovered 52 bottles of vasodilators popularly known as ‘poppers’ or the ‘love drug’ inside his checked luggage.

The Federal Police stated that the substances were imported without the required documentation or authorization from Brazilian sanitary surveillance agencies. Following the discovery, the individual was taken to the airport's specialized police station and subsequently transferred to the Rio de Janeiro prison system.

The man faces potential charges of international drug trafficking and smuggling. The Consulate General of Italy in Rio de Janeiro has confirmed it is monitoring the case while respecting the individual's privacy.