The Amazon International Police Cooperation Center (CCPI Amazônia) in Brazil organized the first operation against illicit gold mining in the Amazon Basin, which INTERPOL has backed.

Law enforcement damaged 277 dredges worth an estimated USD 6.8 million that were used in illicit gold mining along the Madeira River, dealing a serious blow to criminal groups.

The entire economic impact on criminal groups is projected to be at USD 193 million when equipment losses, recent gold extraction, environmental and social damages, and disrupted earnings are taken into account.

Crucially, the operation gave law enforcement useful information to locate and destroy the financial and logistical networks that support illicit mining. Instead than targeting individual workers, who are frequently weak and exploited, this is essential to destroying criminal organizations.

More than 100 officers from operational, tactical, and analytical roles participated in the operation, which was led by the Brazilian Federal Police and involved close coordination with both domestic and foreign authorities.

Authorities surveyed more than 400 square kilometers of river and forest land severely affected by illicit mining using intelligence and satellite data.

In order to promote cooperation and trust, INTERPOL facilitated information exchange and communication while supporting the operation with real-time database checks and analysis.

 Field operations directly led to the publication of an Interpol Purple Notice alerting authorities to the discovery of a new method of facilitating transnational gold smuggling.

INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza said, “This operation marks a new chapter in our collective effort to protect the Amazon, and is a clear signal that international cooperation via CCPI Amazônia is not just a concept, it is concrete action.”

“United, we can confront the criminal networks that threaten communities and our environment, and INTERPOL remains a steadfast partner in this fight.”

Humberto Freire de Barros, Director of Amazon and Environment Protection of the Brazilian Federal Police said: “This operation, the first coordinated by the CCPI Amazônia, demonstrates the Centre's capacity to aggregate the efforts of various institutions responsible for combating crime in the Pan-Amazon region. This coordinated work aims not only to disrupt criminal activities but also to enhance investigations and ensure that those involved in the illegal chain are brought to justice.”

Samples of sand, fabric, and other materials used in the extraction of gold were gathered during the operation and sent for forensic examination to determine their composition, find dangerous compounds like cyanide and mercury, and track their source. In order to determine the locals' exposure to mercury and the possible health effects of illicit mining, a forensic specialist also collected biological samples from them.

Follow-up investigations and any further cooperative activities are still supported by INTERPOL.