Interpol-backed arrests in Amazon gold mining sweep
Nearly 200 people were arrested in a joint cross-border operation targeting illegal gold mining in Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname on January 22, 2026, with Interpol's support. As of May 1, 2026, Brazilian police, with Interpol support, destroyed hundreds of illegal dredges along the Madeira River, inflicting an estimated financial blow of approximately $193 million on organized crime groups. The operation involved over 24,500 checks, seized over $60,000 worth of mercury, and uncovered potential human trafficking, including minors exploited for child labor or sexual abuse. Organized crime networks are linked to a major Guyanese gold exporting firm, and Interpol Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza stated that illegal gold mining is rapidly growing and causing serious harm to the environment and local communities.
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May 2026 — 1 developments
Brazilian police, with Interpol support, destroyed hundreds of illegal dredges along the Madeira River.
Brazilian police, with Interpol support, destroyed hundreds of illegal dredges along the Madeira River. This operation is estimated to have inflicted a significant financial blow of approximately $193 million on organized crime groups involved in illegal gold mining.
January 2026 — 5 developments
Authorities intercepted a bus carrying undocumented migrants, including minors, believed to be explo…
Authorities intercepted a bus carrying undocumented migrants, including minors, believed to be exploited for child labor or sexual abuse, during the operation on the Brazil-Guyana border.
It was reported that over $60,000 USD worth of mercury cylinders were seized, highlighting the environmental and health risks associated with illegal gold mining.
It was reported that over $60,000 USD worth of mercury cylinders were seized, highlighting the environmental and health risks associated with illegal gold mining.
Police and prosecutors from Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname, backed by Interpol, have ar…
Police and prosecutors from Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname, backed by Interpol, have arrested nearly 200 people in a joint cross-border operation targeting illegal gold mining. The sweep involved over 24,500 checks and resulted in the seizure of cash, unprocessed gold, mercury worth over $60,000, firearms, drugs, and mining equipment. The operation also uncovered potential human trafficking, with minors believed to be exploited.
Interpol Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza stated that illegal gold mining is growing rapidly and causing serious harm to the environment and local communities.
Interpol Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza stated that illegal gold mining is growing rapidly and causing serious harm to the environment and local communities.
Authorities announced that organized crime networks behind the illegal gold mining operations are li…
Authorities announced that organized crime networks behind the illegal gold mining operations are linked to a major Guyanese gold exporting firm, signaling deeper cross-border collaboration to disrupt these networks.
December 2025 — 2 developments
An illegal gold mining site was identified in the Upper Takutu-Upper Esequibo region of Guyana.
An illegal gold mining site was identified in the Upper Takutu-Upper Esequibo region of Guyana.
Three men were detained in Guyana on suspicion of gold smuggling and money laundering after officers seized unprocessed gold and approximately $590,000 in cash.
Three men were detained in Guyana on suspicion of gold smuggling and money laundering after officers seized unprocessed gold and approximately $590,000 in cash.
November 2025 — 1 developments
Brazilian police, with Interpol's support, dismantled 277 illegal gold mining camps and seized equipment along the Madeira River in the Amazon in November 2025.
Brazilian police, with Interpol's support, dismantled 277 illegal gold mining camps and seized equipment along the Madeira River in the Amazon in November 2025.