Brazil’s Federal Police (PF) reported a flurry of 11 separate incidents at São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport between 19 and 22 December, underscoring heightened security around the country’s busiest hub during the holiday rush. According to the PF communiqué, four people wanted on outstanding warrants—including convictions for domestic violence and pension arrears—were intercepted during routine migration control.
Drug interdiction teams also arrested two passengers who had ingested cocaine-filled capsules in an attempt to smuggle the narcotic to Europe; one suspect is recovering under police guard at Guarulhos General Hospital. Additional seizures included counterfeit passports and undeclared foreign currency discovered during secondary screening in the departure lounge’s restricted area.
![Federal Police arrest fugitives and drug couriers in year-end blitz at São Paulo-Guarulhos]()
For travelers who want to ensure their paperwork is flawless before facing Brazil’s tighter controls, VisaHQ can streamline the process by arranging Brazilian visas, business invitations, and other required documents entirely online. Their platform (https://www.visahq.com/brazil/) guides applicants step-by-step and offers expedited options, helping visitors reduce time spent in verification lines and avoid unexpected issues at checkpoints.
The PF says it has expanded the use of advanced passenger-information (API) and facial-recognition systems, allowing officers to flag suspects before boarding passes are issued. Corporate security advisers recommend that companies brief travelling staff about longer document-verification lines and remind them that possession of another person’s passport—even briefly—can trigger detention under Brazil’s strict identity-fraud statutes.
While none of the incidents caused material flight delays, the agency cautions that spot checks will intensify through 5 January, mirroring the airport-operations surge overseen by the Ministry of Ports and Airports. International assignees entering Brazil over the holidays should allow extra time for immigration and have supporting employment or invitation letters readily available.
Drug interdiction teams also arrested two passengers who had ingested cocaine-filled capsules in an attempt to smuggle the narcotic to Europe; one suspect is recovering under police guard at Guarulhos General Hospital. Additional seizures included counterfeit passports and undeclared foreign currency discovered during secondary screening in the departure lounge’s restricted area.
For travelers who want to ensure their paperwork is flawless before facing Brazil’s tighter controls, VisaHQ can streamline the process by arranging Brazilian visas, business invitations, and other required documents entirely online. Their platform (https://www.visahq.com/brazil/) guides applicants step-by-step and offers expedited options, helping visitors reduce time spent in verification lines and avoid unexpected issues at checkpoints.
The PF says it has expanded the use of advanced passenger-information (API) and facial-recognition systems, allowing officers to flag suspects before boarding passes are issued. Corporate security advisers recommend that companies brief travelling staff about longer document-verification lines and remind them that possession of another person’s passport—even briefly—can trigger detention under Brazil’s strict identity-fraud statutes.
While none of the incidents caused material flight delays, the agency cautions that spot checks will intensify through 5 January, mirroring the airport-operations surge overseen by the Ministry of Ports and Airports. International assignees entering Brazil over the holidays should allow extra time for immigration and have supporting employment or invitation letters readily available.
