Taxi Driver Who Returned World Cup Tickets Wins UN Award

12/09/2014 - 09h35

Taxi driver Adilson Luiz da Cruz, 43, was honoured on Monday (8) by the UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime), in Brasilia, for his "example of ethical behaviour."

In June this year, he was on the news after returning 40 tickets for World Cup matches that he found in his taxi.

On the World Cup opening, two Mexican fans had forgotten a package with the tickets on the back seat of Adilson's vehicle, in São Paulo.

Even though he only knew the name of one of the customers, he went back to the hotel in Morumbi - where the fans took the taxi in the middle of the night - and managed to return the tickets to the real owners.

"I've never been through anything like it before", the taxi driver said on Monday (8). "I spoke alongside Ministers. They all greeted me, I was speechless".

About a month ago, Folha was contacted by UNODC's communication department.

They were looking for Adilson's contact number -he was one of the persons selected to receive the award for "people who give great examples of ethical behaviour".

The ceremony took place at the Universidade dos Correios Auditorium, in an event that marked the beginning of the week of International Anti-Corruption Day (on December 9).

"I was very happy. My family and my friends are proud. I want and I am going to keep doing what is right", he said.

Translated by JULIANA CALDERARI

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	Eduardo Anizelli/Folhapress
	Taxi driver Adilson Luiz da Cruz, 43, was honoured on Monday (8) by the UN for his "example of ethical behaviour"