Four Czechs held in Brazil over alleged cactus smuggling

Four Czech nationals have been detained in Brazil for two months over the alleged smuggling of protected cacti and seeds, with court proceedings now underway, the Czech Foreign Ministry confirmed on Friday.

They were arrested by environmental authorities and federal police at São Paulo’s Guarulhos airport, where customs officers found more than 100 cacti and about 2,000 seeds from Rio Grande do Sul hidden in their luggage.

The Czech and Slovak Cactus Growers Association has expressed concern over the charges. Botanist Libor Kunte said the trip aimed to document habitats and collect samples for DNA analysis of the Wigginsia genus, noting the plants have little commercial value and are commonly available.

The Czech Consulate General in São Paulo remains in contact with the detainees. No further details have been released.