# Marijuana trafficking operations in Paraguay and Brazil

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/marijuana-trafficking-operations-in-paraguay-and-brazil
> Updated: 2026-09-16T19:40:00.000Z. Sources: 38. Developments: 2.

In Paraguay, security forces conducted a coordinated operation involving the Internal Defense Operations Command (CODI), the Joint Task Force (FTC), the Military Intelligence Battalion (BIMI), and the Public Ministry to seize 40,000 kilograms of pressed marijuana. The narcotics were recovered from 23 underground caches within the Paso Bravo Reserve in the Concepción Department. The extraction required five days of continuous work by the FTC due to difficult terrain and deteriorated roads. Authorities also recovered a field camp and an abandoned Toyota Hilux. Prosecutor Pablo René Zárate estimated the market value of the seizure at approximately USD 6.5 million in Brazil. General Rufino Gaona, commander of CODI, described the seizure as a “golpe muy fuerte” (very strong blow) against drug trafficking networks in the northern region.

Following this, the Federal Police in Corumbá, Brazil, conducted two operations near the Bolivian border. These actions resulted in the seizure of approximately 101 kg of marijuana and the arrest of four individuals. One operation, supported by the Brazilian Army, recovered 90 kg from a distribution point, while a second operation near a bus station uncovered 11 kg hidden in a suitcase.

## Claims

- The Federal Police launched Operation Eredità to combat a transnational criminal structure linking the PCC to the Italian mafia. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- The criminal group used the Port of Paranaguá as a logistics corridor to ship cocaine to Europe. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- The operation includes seven preventive arrest warrants and five search and seizure warrants. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- At least 4.6 tons of cocaine were seized in 11 operations between 2019 and 2020 linked to this structure. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The investigation targets cities including São Paulo, São Caetano do Sul, Santos, Americana, and Palhoça. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Lawyer Patrick Raasch Cardoso is accused of using legal privileges to pass messages between the mafia and criminal leaders. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-16: Operation Eredità targets PCC and Italian mafia drug network

Brazilian and Italian authorities launched Operation Eredità to dismantle a transnational network linking the PCC and the Italian mafia, targeting cocaine trafficking to Europe.

27 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/corumb-police-seize-101-kg-of-marijuana-and-arrest-four

### 2026-09-15: Paso Bravo Reserve: 40 tons of marijuana seized in Paraguay

Paraguayan security forces seized 40,000 kg of marijuana from 23 underground caches in the Paso Bravo Reserve, with an estimated value of USD 6.5 million in the Brazilian market.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/paso-bravo-authorities-seize-40-tons-of-marijuana

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Cite as: Marijuana trafficking operations in Paraguay and Brazil. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/marijuana-trafficking-operations-in-paraguay-and-brazil