Brazil cops find tanks during stolen goods hunt

A POLICE raid in Brazil aimed at recovering stolen cars and cargo threw up a more interesting find - two war tanks.

The hull of an old US-made M-41 tank can be seen amid vehicles and objects seized by Sao Paulo police. Picture: Getty

Sao Paulo police said that the two engine-less tanks were uncovered in a warehouse in Sacoma, a low-income district of Brazil’s biggest city.

Police also confiscated 500 televisions, car parts and a recently stolen lorry.

It was reported that the two tanks are not the property of the Army, and their origin would be the subject of a detailed investigation.

Officials did not say what type of tanks they were, and no indication of age was given, but they are thought to be American-made M-41 models.

Images published by local media show one treaded vehicle with five wheels on either side.

Associated Press reported that calls and emails to the police and Army were not immediately returned.

However, Police Lt. Andrei do Carmo told Globo TV: “It is unusual, to say the least, that police officers searching for stolen goods and cars, instead find two tanks.”

According to the UOL Internet portal, the warehouse owner’s sons told police that the tanks were acquired legally via an auction in 2003, and that they had the documents to prove it.

The warehouse caretaker was taken into custody.

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