Federal highway police arrested a 36-year-old driver on the afternoon of Friday 30 October 2026 after stopping his car on the Via Dutra in Piraí, in Rio de Janeiro state.[1] The stop was in front of the police post at kilometre 233, on the carriageway towards São Paulo, at the end of the Serra das Araras climb.[2] Officers said the check began at about 12:45.[2]

The car was a Volkswagen Polo Track with plates from São Bernardo do Campo, in São Paulo state.[2] The driver told police a friend had rented the car and made it available for ride-hailing work.[2] During the inspection officers noticed a strong smell of cannabis; Foco Regional said the search was carried out with dogs.[1] In the boot they found five plastic bags of cannabis.[1] Folha do Aço, citing the PRF, put the weight at 63.65 kilograms.[2] Foco Regional reported 63 kilograms, and g1 described the load as almost 64 kilograms.[3]

He told officers he had collected the cannabis in Rio de Janeiro and was taking it to Volta Redonda, and that he would be paid 1,500 reais for the delivery.[1] g1 reported that he admitted picking the load up in the state capital.[3] He was booked for drug trafficking and association for trafficking and taken with the load to the 94th police station in Piraí.[2] His name was not released, and he remained at the disposal of the courts while the Civil Police investigated.[3]