Police in Brazil have announced the discovery of 48 tons of marijuana worth nearly $10 million, thanks to a trained police dog named Hulk during an operation targeting criminal groups.
The operation took place on April 7, 2026, in the Complexo da Maré area, a low-income neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro.
The operation involved around 250 officers from the Military Police, a specialized unit within the police force trained for high-intensity security operations.
According to CBS News, the 48 tons of marijuana represent one of the largest single drug seizures in Brazil’s history.
During the operation, the dog Hulk signaled to officers that something suspicious was hidden beneath an abandoned water tank.
Police quickly searched the area and discovered an underground tunnel beneath the tank, which led to a hidden storage space filled with large quantities of marijuana.
Luciano Pedro Barbosa, head of the Brazilian police canine unit, said the drugs were so well concealed that they would not have been found without the dog’s help.
“A police officer who entered the tunnel found an underground room where all the drugs were hidden,” he said.
Photos shared by Brazilian police on social media showed the dog Hulk standing in front of numerous packages of marijuana, along with weapons seized during the operation.
Many social media users in Brazil praised the dog’s work, with some joking that it deserved “48 tons of rewards.”
Lt. Col. Barbosa said the drugs were worth nearly $10 million on the illegal market, making their seizure a major financial blow to the criminal group behind them.
Officers involved in the operation said it took about five hours to remove all the drugs, which were loaded onto four trucks.
There was also a shootout between police and suspects during the operation, and one individual was arrested.
Authorities also seized five rifles, four pistols, and 26 stolen vehicles, including cars and motorcycles.