Former Port Terminal Manager Sentenced for Facilitating 416 kg Cocaine Shipment Through the Port of Santos
Federal court ruling highlights the importance of operational controls and supply chain security in export logistics.
A Brazilian Federal Court has sentenced a former manager of a logistics terminal linked to the Port of Santos to 11 years and one month in prison for his role in a scheme that enabled the shipment of 416 kilograms of cocaine to Switzerland. The case dates back to 2022 and gained international attention after the drugs were discovered in a coffee shipment delivered to Europe.
The ruling reinforces the importance of effective operational controls within logistics facilities and highlights the critical role of security measures in protecting Brazil's export supply chain.
According to the court decision, the former yard supervisor of a bonded export logistics facility, known in Brazil as a Redex terminal, used his position to authorize the movement of a container without the mandatory operational records. Federal prosecutors stated that this allowed members of a criminal organization to conceal narcotics inside the cargo before it was exported.
The contaminated shipment arrived in Switzerland, where the cocaine was discovered at a Nespresso production facility in the city of Romont. The seizure triggered a joint investigation involving Swiss and Brazilian authorities.
During the investigation, witnesses stated that the former employee had allegedly mentioned receiving a substantial payment to facilitate the operation. In his statement to the Federal Police, he admitted participating in the removal and subsequent return of the container, claiming he had acted under threats from criminals. However, during the court proceedings, he later denied direct involvement in the trafficking scheme.
In the ruling, the judge concluded that the defendant played a key role in enabling the criminal operation by using his operational authority to create the conditions that allowed the cargo to be tampered with. The court also rejected a request for a reduced sentence under Brazil's "privileged trafficking" provision, finding evidence of involvement with an organized criminal group.
In addition to the prison sentence, the court imposed a financial penalty equivalent to 1,110 daily fines, totaling approximately BRL 44,800. The defendant remains free while appealing the decision because he was not held in custody during the trial.
The case also highlights the strategic importance of Redex facilities within Brazil's export logistics network. These customs-authorized terminals play a vital role in export clearance procedures and cargo preparation, making strict compliance with operational protocols and security procedures essential to maintaining supply chain integrity.
The ruling underscores the ongoing challenges faced by ports and logistics operators in preventing international drug trafficking. Strengthening internal controls, regulatory oversight, and cooperation between national and international authorities remains fundamental to improving cargo security, protecting the reputation of Brazilian ports, and maintaining confidence in global trade.
Source: G1 – Former Port Terminal Manager Convicted for Facilitating a 416 kg Cocaine Shipment to Switzerland
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