Brazil and U.S. Near Deals for Joint Crackdown on Smuggling and Money Laundering

Overview

• Dario Durigan said Brazil and the United States are close to new customs and anti–money-laundering agreements that would enable joint operations by law enforcement agencies.
• The customs tool known as “remote targeting” shares container details before ships arrive so officers can flag high‑risk loads for inspection.
• Using that tool, authorities seized more than half a ton of weapons and gear sent from the U.S. to Brazil between May 2025 and April 2026, and detected over a ton of synthetic drugs moving in the opposite direction.
• On the financial side, findings from Brazil’s Operation Carbono Oculto shared with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service helped map shell structures used to hide wealth and pinpoint funds in Delaware.
• After meeting President Donald Trump, Durigan said the aim is to speed the return of illicit money to Brazil once the new pacts clear the way for coordinated actions on the ground.