Police Remove Illegal Balloon From Copacabana Surf

Overview

• The balloon came down in the shore break near Posto 5 at Copacabana, startling beachgoers.
• Military police from the 19th Battalion pulled the artifact from the water and sent it to the 13th Police District for measures.
• Brazilian environmental law treats making, selling, carrying, or releasing such balloons as a crime punishable by up to three years in jail and fines starting near R$10,000.
• Earlier in the week, a burning balloon struck a home in Parada de Lucas and singed an air conditioner before the resident doused the flames.
• Authorities and local outlets urged the public to report balloon activity to the Green Line tip service of Disque Denúncia.