Clandestine drivers continue offering rides at Guarulhos airport one month after combat operation TV Globo One month after an operation by authorities to combat illegal transportation at São Paulo International Airport, in Guarulhos, in Greater São Paulo, fake taxi drivers and app drivers continue offering rides inside the terminals. According to drivers who work at the airport, illegal immigrants continue to operate in the same places and in the same way. They approach passengers, most of the time tourists, and offer taxi or app transportation services. However, according to the complaints, they are neither licensed taxi drivers nor app drivers. When they arrive at their destination, they charge amounts that can be up to eight times higher than the regular price. Passengers who refuse to pay are threatened. Last month, the dispute for passengers between fake drivers and taxi drivers from the cooperative that operates at the airport ended in a fight in the arrivals area. After the confusion, at least eight taxis were attacked with stones. One day after the episode, the Civil Police and Guarulhos City Hall carried out a blitz to combat illegal transport at the airport. "We have carried out operations on alternate days and times. Some days we start at 9 am, other days we do more in the late afternoon and we have managed to surprise. But the number is a scary thing, because almost 300 vehicles have already been seized and, even so, the drivers still continue trying to make these runs", said Luiz Alberto Guerra, delegate of the Specialized Tourist Assistance Division. Police carry out operation at SP International Airport after fights between taxi drivers and illegal drivers To get to and from the airport with passengers, fake drivers use the Hélio Smidt Highway. Therefore, they were the target of an investigation by the Federal Highway Police (PRF), which, in 2024, classified one of the groups as a criminal organization. The investigation revealed an irregular fleet with more than 100 vehicles, which at the time moved more than R$3 million per month. The PRF reported that it is only responsible for policing the highway, but said it forwarded a report to the authorities responsible for off-road areas. The division of responsibilities in airport security is as follows: the Federal Police operates on the runway, in the apron and in the restricted area. The areas outside the terminals and outside the departure lounge are the responsibility of the Civil and Military Police. When accessing the terminals, Guarulhos City Hall also works to combat traffic violations and monitor the circulation of irregular vehicles. Despite the actions of different agencies, illegal drivers have been operating at the airport for at least seven years. In 2024, a Fantástico report showed what happened when a regular taxi driver warned passengers about the risk of a scam. “Take down my race and I’ll come after you,” said a man during an argument recorded at the time. The same report also showed clashes involving traffic agents trying to collect vehicles used in the scams. According to drivers who work at the airport, one of the men caught offering clandestine rides this Monday (8) was already working there in 2019. That year, he was filmed stealing a passenger's backpack, leaving the terminal with the object and storing it in the trunk of his own car. Currently, he responds to the crime in freedom. The Civil Police stated that they will carry out new operations to combat this type of practice and reported that, this Monday, a man was arrested for offering clandestine rides at the airport. Taxi drivers from the Guarucoop cooperative have their cars vandalized after a fight with an alleged driver at Guarulhos Airport Reproduction/TV Globo