Police seize over 143kg of solid gold in the Amazon
This week, the Brazilian federal highway police seized 143kg of solid gold in two Amazon states. The total value is estimated at nearly USD 15 billion.
The biggest seizure took place on a highway in Boa Vista, capital of Roraima state, on Monday (Aug. 4). The officers found 103kg of gold being transported in a pick-up truck. The driver was arrested and taken to the authorities along with the seized material.
Another seizure took place on a highway in Altamira, Pará state, on Wednesday (6). The total this time was 40kg of solid gold.
The two states have faced the devastating effects of illegal mining, especially in indigenous territories. This is the second largest seizure in the history of Brazilian federal highways
Environmental crimes
The rise in gold seizures in North Brazil stems from a higher number of federal highway police agents and an improved structure for preventing and combating environmental crimes.
Since 2023, the Amazon plan for security and sovereignty implemented by the Ministry of Justice and Public Security has intensified the government’s presence in the Amazon and combined the efforts of public security and environmental protection institutions.
