Biplane with 400 kg of cocaine is intercepted by the FAB

Interception of light aircraft is carried out by A-29 Super Tucano turboprops. Photo: FAB.

A Piper Seneca twin engine was intercepted by A-29 Super Tucano aircraft of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) on the afternoon of Wednesday (01) in the interior of Mato Grosso. The plane, which had no flight plan, was carrying 400 kg of cocaine. 

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The t operation brought together resources from the FAB itself, the Federal Police, PMMT, the Integrated Air Operations Center (CIOPAer) and the Special Border Group (GEFRON). 

After interception, the twin engine landed on a runway in the interior of Mato Grosso, with 400 kilos of cocaine. Photo: PF/Disclosure.
After interception, the twin engine landed on a runway in the interior of Mato Grosso, with 400 kilos of cocaine. Photo: PF/Disclosure.

Upon detecting the entry of the unidentified plane into Brazilian airspace, the FAB assigned an E-99 radar plane and A-29 fighter jets to monitor and intercept the target. The E-99s, operated by the Guardian squadron at Anápolis Air Force Base, provide detection and tracking of multiple targets at long ranges. 

According to the FAB, the use of this technology is indispensable in an air operations scenario, in view of the aircraft's flexibility in positioning together with the ability to detect traffic at low altitude, allowing radar coverage of areas of interest to the Command of the Air Force (COMAER), in addition to aircraft control, regardless of the existing Command and Control structure on the ground.

Embraer E-99M, FAB radar plane, operated by the Guardian Squadron.
The E-99 radar plane, in its modernized version. Aircraft are fundamental in the surveillance of Brazilian airspace. Photo: Gabriel Centeno – Aeroflap.

After the interception, the pilot of the illicit aircraft landed on an unapproved runway in the interior of the state and fled. The Security Forces on the ground approached and seized the shipment of drugs.

According to Federal police, the activity is part of the t and integrated effort of the security forces involved to repress illicit flights in small aircraft loaded with drugs. Investigations and attacks against drug trafficking continue, with special attention to the arrest of leaders and the decapitalization of criminal organizations.

A-29 Super Tucano FAB
FN M3P machine gun caliber .50 BMG from the A-29 Super Tucano. Photo: Corporal V. Santos/FAB/Disclosure.

This is the second drug trafficking aircraft intercepted by the Air Force in less than a month. on the last occasion, the plane loaded with drugs made a forced landing in a field in the interior of São Paulo. 

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Gabriel Centeno

Author Gabriel Centeno

Journalism student at UFRGS, spotter and military aviation enthusiast.

Categories: Military, News, News

Tags: A-29 Super Tucano, fab, Interception

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