AP

Brazil police target group laundering cash from illegal gold

Feb 9, 2023, 6:54 PM | Updated: Feb 10, 2023, 9:51 am

In this image provided by IBAMA, Brazil's Environmental Agency, an agent watches as a structure and...

In this image provided by IBAMA, Brazil's Environmental Agency, an agent watches as a structure and plane belonging to miners is engulfed in flames in the Yanomami Indigenous territory, Roraima state, Brazil, Feb. 6, 2023. Brazilian authorities launched an operation to reclaim Yanomami Indigenous territory from thousands of illegal gold miners who have contaminated rivers and brought famine and disease to one of the most isolated populations of the world. (IBAMA via AP)

(IBAMA via AP)


              Rayane Thais, 28, who works as a cook in the mines, wearing a jersey that reads "A miner is not an outlaw," holds a flag that reads "Roraima asks for help" during a demonstration in defense of mining activities in Boa Vista, Roraima state, Brazil, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros)
            
              Miner Joao Batista Costa, 61, walks for days to leave the Yanomami Indigenous territory ahead of expected operations against illegal mining in Alto Alegre, Roraima state, Brazil, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. The government declared a public health emergency for the Yanomami people in the Amazon, who are suffering from malnutrition and diseases such as malaria as a consequence of illegal mining. Costa, told reporters the Yanomami are dying of hunger and that the recent emergency shipment of food has not been enough. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros)
            
              A Yanomami Indigenous breastfeeds her baby outside the Health Indigenous House, a center responsible for supporting and assisting Indigenous people, in Boa Vista, Roraima state, Brazil, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros)
            
              Miners and their relatives stand in front a statue of a gold miner, during a demonstration in defense of mining activities in Boa Vista, Roraima state, Brazil, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros)
            
              In this image provided by IBAMA, Brazil's Environmental Agency, an agent watches as a structure and plane belonging to miners is engulfed in flames in the Yanomami Indigenous territory, Roraima state, Brazil, Feb. 6, 2023. Brazilian authorities launched an operation to reclaim Yanomami Indigenous territory from thousands of illegal gold miners who have contaminated rivers and brought famine and disease to one of the most isolated populations of the world. (IBAMA via AP)

Brazil’s Federal Police performed eight searches Friday targeting money laundering derived from illegal gold mining in Roraima state, where Indigenous Yanomami people are in a health crisis.

A police statement said the criminal organization targeted in the raids carried out transactions worth 64 million reais ($12 million) over a two-year period.

While this is a fraction of the total value of gold mined in Yanomami territory during that time, the police operation represents part of the fresh effort by authorities to crack down on the illicit activity.

The federal government recently declared a health emergency for the Yanomami people, who are experiencing malnourishment and disease after their waterways were poisoned by mercury used to separate gold.

As many as 20,000 prospectors invaded Yanomami territory during the administration of former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who encouraged such activity and sought to legalize mining on Indigenous lands.

This week, the military and other federal agencies now under the direction of leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva began expeling miners, while also blowing up their boats, planes and a helicopter, as permitted by law.

Members of the criminal organization raided Friday used front companies to make its financial operations appear legitimate, police said. All are based in Roraima state.

Police said suspects received money transfers from several financiers in Brazil, then passed that money along to people and companies in Roraima to purchase illegal gold.

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