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RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Brazilian police announced on Wednesday that it had dismantled an international ring dedicated to synthetic drugs. The operation netted 33 arrests across five Brazilian states, the police statement read.
Over 400 officers took part in Operation Reflex in the southern states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, the central state of Goias, the western state of Mato Grosso do Sul and the southeastern state of Sao Paulo.
The drugs produced by this ring, mainly ecstasy, cocaine and LSD, entered Brazil from Europe, Uruguay and Paraguay. They were received in Santa Catarina and then distributed across the country, mostly to be sold during electronic music festivals.
The police added that Santa Catarina was the hub of the operation as the state is a popular summer holidaying spot.
The investigation into the group began 10 months ago with the police noting "its high level of sophistication" and the "double life" led by some of its leaders, who had a presence in high society while also being drug dealers.
