Authorities in neighbouring Brazil arrested four persons last Wednesday afternoon after they allegedly attempted to smuggle a quantity of infrared thermometers into the country through an illegal crossing from Guyana.
Folda de Boa Vista, a Brazilian media entity, reported that the quartet was arrested at the municipality of Bonfim, north of Roraima.
They had 400 infrared thermometers, which were bought in Guyana, and they were seized.
A police source told Folda de Boa Vista that it was believed that the thermometers would have been sold by units with an intended profit of at least 28,000 Brazilian real.
Folda de Boa Vista reported the police as saying that the movement of the gang was noticed by a fisherman, who noticed the men crossing the border between the two countries on the Takatu River with several boxes.
The man reported the movement to a Brazilian army vehicle that was passing at the time.
The pick-up used by the gang took off in a rush after noticing the army and they were followed.
This information was passed onto the military police, who carried out a search of the premises where the quartet was seen entering.
“The team searched the property and found the seven boxes with the merchandise, in addition to the pickup truck used for transportation parked at the back of the yard,” Folda de Boa Vista reported.
Among the suspects is a 38-year-old man, who Folda de Boa Vista said told the police that he bought the items from the owner of the property where the search was conducted. “The PM (military police) suspected a room with the door locked and questioned the mechanic. He said he did not have the key, as it belonged to a cousin who had traveled. However, the moment the garrison tried to open the door, it heard screams and discovered two other elements hidden inside the compartment,” the report further stated.
The operation was carried out with support from the Federal Highway Police (PRF), the National Force, in addition to the garrison of the Army and the Federal Police, which led the group to Boa Vista.
In light of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the infrared thermometers are being used to measure body temperature before they are allowed onto the premises of various facilities, such as hospitals and business places. With an infrared thermometer, an individual temperature can be measure from a distance without direct contact.
