Brazilian Air Force Super Tucano intercepts Piper Seneca carrying cocaine

A Brazilian Air Force (FAB) A-29 Super Tucano turboprop attack aircraft intercepted a twin engine Piper Seneca turboprop flying over t...

A Brazilian Air Force (FAB) A-29 Super Tucano turboprop attack aircraft intercepted a twin engine Piper Seneca turboprop flying over the country's airspace without a flight plan.

The interception forced the aircraft from Bolivia to perform a landing on a road in the Tangará da Serra municipality, in the Central-West Region of Brazil.

The aircraft was carrying 500 kg cocaine.

The privately owned Piper PA-34-200T Seneca II with registration PR-EBF, was earlier owned by SB Aviation Escola de Aviacao Civil, a Brazil based flight training school.

FAB's Operation Ostium aims to root out illegal aerial activity in the border regions with Bolivia and Paraguay, used for smuggling cocaine.

The operation involves around 800 military personnel and more than 30 aircraft, including E-99 airborne early warning and control aircraft, R-35A and RA-1 reconnaissance aircraft, as well as AH-2 Sabre and H-60 Black Hawk combat helicopters.

Embraer A-29, is a turboprop light attack aircraft designed for counter-insurgency, close air support, and aerial reconnaissance missions in low-threat environments.