Federal Highway Police (PRF) data show hashish seizures on the federal highways crossing Minas Gerais grew more than 50 times in 2026.[1] The reports describe hashish as a concentrated derivative of marijuana.[1] The seizure total rose from 169 kilograms in all of 2025 to 8,810 kilograms between 1 January and 23 October 2026.[2][3] Between January and October 2026, the PRF arrested 179 people for transporting drugs on federal highways in Minas Gerais.[2][3] In the same comparison, the PRF balance records crack seizures rising from 14.7 kilograms to 85 kilograms and cocaine from 740 to 937 kilograms.[1]

According to the PRF, Minas Gerais functions mainly as a corridor for drug transport to other states and abroad.[1] Minas Gerais has more than 270,000 kilometres of federal, state and municipal roads, the largest road network in Brazil.[1] UFMG political science professor Ludmila Ribeiro says the state borders six other states plus the Federal District and has numerous secondary roads that make inspection of all possible routes difficult.[1]

The PRF says the arrests also support investigations into organized crime through information on cargo origin and destination, vehicles used and those involved.[1] The PRF says it relies on intelligence work, highway monitoring, sniffer-dog teams and integration with other security forces to expand anti-trafficking enforcement in the state.[1]