Combating cross-border and environmental crimes
Manaus (AM) – Operation Ágata Amazônia 2024, Joint Command Upiara, ended its activities with expressive results, which demonstrate the strength of the joint use of the Armed Forces, in cooperation with public security bodies and other national agencies, in the fight against cross-border and environmental crimes in the Western Amazon.
Developed in an area of operations of more than 630,000 square kilometers, an area equivalent to the territory of Ukraine, Operation Ágata Amazônia 2024 directly impacted the lives of riverside and indigenous populations along 15 municipalities in the state of Amazonas and the Brazil-Colombia-Peru triple border. The estimated loss to criminal agents exceeds 600 million reais, the result of more than 4,000 actions carried out.
Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the Armed Forces carried out several operations in hard-to-reach areas, using drones, advanced communication systems and night vision equipment. This monitoring and intelligence capacity made it possible to precisely identify targets and carry out specific actions, contributing to the success of the operation.
The joint action resulted in the seizure of 4.2 tons of cocaine base paste, 704 kg of marijuana, as well as weapons, ammunition, engines, 11,000 liters of fuel and around 2 kg of gold, all destined for illicit activities. The neutralization of 120 vessels, such as rafts and dredgers used in environmental crimes and smuggling, demonstrates the effectiveness of the operation.
Operation Ágata Amazônia 2024 also proved the importance of integrated action between the Armed Forces, Public Security Bodies and other agencies to combat cross-border and environmental crimes, as well as protecting the Amazon.
Social and environmental impact
Ágata Amazônia also left a significant legacy for environmental preservation. A total of 4.1 kg of mercury, a highly toxic substance, was seized. During the operation, with the neutralization of the mining dredges, around 110 kg of mercury was no longer used, preventing the contamination of rivers in the region.