After the intense conflicts between miners and police in the city of Humaitá, in the interior of Amazonas, this Wednesday (21), at least 16 people were arrested, the municipal police station reported.
The arrests occurred late in the evening, hours after the beginning of the confrontation.
Some of the suspects were in possession of fireworks and other explosives.
The ‘Operation Prensa’, launched by the Federal Police (PF), began last Monday (19) with the objective of combating illegal mining in the south of Amazonas.
According to the PF, the actions have the support of Ibama and other federal agencies.
In two days, 200 mining dredges spread across the Madeira River were destroyed.
In retaliation for the operation, miners clashed with agents who had disembarked at a private port in the city.
Upset, the miners went to the front of Humaitá city hall, where there was a new confrontation, this time with military police, who retaliated.
The Federal Police reported that the operation should continue for about ten days.
Fifty men from the Rondônia Military Police's riot squad arrived in Humaitá to help with the control operation and restore public order.

Source: Amazon Agency