Federal Police launch anti-crime operation in Amazon Rainforest

Federal Police (“PF”) agents are exercising today (Aug 27) 22 search and seizure orders plus 14 arrest warrants in four states in a bid to dismantle an organization which, according to investigators, specialize in invading public property in the Brazilian Rainforest to deforest them and turn them into pasture. Among the areas raided is the National Forest of Jamanxim, in Pará state.. At least one person has been taken to jail in São Paulo.

Named Operation Chestnut (castanheira) after a tree protected by law and a symbol of rainforest, the action is fruit of an investigation conducted in partnership with the PF, the Federal Prosecution Office (“MPF”) and the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources ("Ibama"), whose job is to administer and protect the National Forest of Jamanxim.

According to state officials in Pará, the lands laid waste to and turned into pasture were demarcated and sold to rural manufacturers. The environmental damage has been estimated by experts at $221.33 million. In a note, PF states that the individuals under investigation are being regarded as the Brazilian Amazon Forest’s number one perpetrators of deforestation. Their names, however, have not been disclosed.

The ones involved will be charged with the crimes of invasion of public lands, theft, environmental crimes, counterfeiting, criminal conspiracy, tax evasion and money laundering. Sentences may total over 50 years in prison.

Ninety-six PF officers and 19 Ibama officials took part in Operation Chestnut. Investigations are also being carried out in several cities in the states of São Paulo, Pará and Mato Grosso.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira