Brazil police seize gold illegally explored in indigenous lands
On Monday (Oct. 25), Brazil´s Federal Police arrested a person with almost 1.5 kilos of illegal gold in Altamira, a city in the state of Pará, in the Brazilian Amazon. The metal had been illegally explored in indigenous lands.
The so-called Golden Web operation is investigating people supposedly linked to miners who would have ed, between 2020 and 2022, more than BRL 35 million in gold to traders in Altamira, which was resold to jewelry stores in several states in Brazil. Three search and seizure warrants were served, with the participation of 20 federal police officers.
According to the police, the suspects acted illegally in Pakissamba, Curuaia, and Araras indigenous reserves located in Pará. One of the warrant targets was a person carrying 1,455.62 grams of gold and BRL 17,900. The money was also seized. There is evidence of money laundering since the profit from the illegal trade was hidden to disguise its illicit origin.
The Golden Web Operation has a broad spectrum. It investigates crimes of carrying out research, mining, and exploration of mineral resources without authorization, usurpation of federal assets, and money laundering. The combined penalties can reach 16 years in prison.
In Brazil, the subsoil belongs to the Federal State. Therefore, all phases of mineral exploration need federal authorization. Mining on indigenous land requires special authorization.
