Manaus (AM) – Eighteen illegal mining dredges have already been seized and neutralized in Operation Curaretinga IV. Military personnel from the 16th Jungle Infantry Brigade, based in Tefé (AM), reached the tenth day of actions to combat cross-border and environmental crimes in the Triple Frontier area (Brazil, Colombia and Peru), intensifying the presence of the Brazilian Army in the Javari Valley region.
Day 10: Results
The neutralization of the dredges prevented the worsening of siltation and changes in riverbeds, as well as water turbidity, soil pollution and contamination by toxic substances such as mercury. Several materials used by the miners were also collected, such as chainsaws, automotive batteries, weapons, cell phones, precision scales and a motor pump. During an approach to two boats, the troop also seized a cargo of gold extracted from the region, estimated at 66 thousand reais. The total damage to illegal mining is estimated at almost 30 million reais.
In ten days of operation, the military covered more than 1,190 km in a jungle environment. The actions are always punctual and based on intelligence data, to locate the mining areas. In addition to curbing illegal mining, the actions also combat predatory hunting and fishing, drug and arms trafficking, and seek to protect indigenous communities.
Interagency action
The operation includes service members from the Solimões Border Command/8th Jungle Infantry Battalion, with support from the Solimões Border Command/8th Jungle Infantry Battalion, from Tabatinga (AM), with support from the 16th Logistics Base, the 16th Communications Platoon, as well as troops from the Special Border Platoons and agents from the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA).
Source: Amazon Military Command, by: Lauro Moraes – CCOMSEx