Brazil is engaged in a vast military operation to crack down on smuggling on its borders with Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay, slated to run until late August, according to the South American Nation's Defense Ministry.

The fifth edition of "Operation Agata" -- inaugurated as part of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff's 2011 border security strategy -- is backed by aircraft helicopters, ships and armored vehicles comprising nearly 10,000 military. The outfit is being deployed this week at borders to control the trafficking of illegal arms, explosives, drugs and other goods.

"The operation ... adds to (Brasilia's) efforts since 2011 to fight crime on all fronts," a defense ministry official behind the operation told AFP Tuesday.

Authorities have seized a total 331 pounds (150 kilograms) of dynamite in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, on the nation's border with Argentina and Uruguay.

"When the military completes its work, Federal Police will carry out Operation Centinela, which will seek to reinforce control in the same areas," said the defense source, who asked to remain anonymous.

Authorities hope their efforts will control the sale of explosives often used for robberies at Brazilian ATMs.

Defense Minister Celso Amorim will visit several points of the operation -- spanning some 2,400 miles (3,900 kilometers) of Brazilian territory.

Last year, similar operations allowed the seizure of 230,000 pounds (115 tons) of drugs, and the detention of 4,000 persons.