RORAIMA, BRAZIL — A helicopter used to support illegal mining was destroyed by Ibama on Tuesday (29) in a forested area in Vila Samaúma, in Mucajaí, southern Roraima. The aircraft was found at an illegal workshop used for maintenance and equipment storage.

Agents also found tools, aircraft maintenance materials and containers with a capacity to hold 50 liters of fuel each. The area is near an access route to illegal mining sites in the Yanomami Indigenous Land.

The helicopter, a Robinson R44 II, registration PR-PBS, manufactured in 2006, had previously been seized by Ibama in Mucajaí in 2021. According to the Government House, the aircraft's Airworthiness Certificate had been canceled in 2019, and since 2023 it had been subject to a court order for seizure and flight restrictions.

The aircraft was located based on intelligence provided by the Catrimani II Joint Command. The operation was supported by the military command and the National Force Judicial Police.

Amazon Agency