The Federal Police destroyed 303 dredges in the largest operation against illegal mining currently underway in the southern region of Amazonas.
The report was released this Thursday (22) by the press office of the PF superintendence in the state.
With the support of Ibama and Funai, Operation Prensa began on Tuesday (20) and focuses on the Madeira River and its tributaries, the Aripuanã River and the Manicoré River.
The teams are traveling through municipalities in the south of Amazonas with the aim of combating illegal mining in the region.
The operation will be ongoing, with no set deadline for completion, according to the PF.
On Wednesday afternoon (21), the miners reacted to the action and attacked federal police officers at a port in Humaitá.
Approximately 16 people were arrested.
This Thursday (22), the operation continues, with the latest PF report indicating the destruction of 303 dredges used in the region, most of them concentrated in Humaitá.
The agents are using drones and helicopters to map the affected areas.
According to the Federal Police, the dredges remove sand from the bottom of the river, which is mixed with mercury to extract the gold.
This process contaminates the water, resulting in the death of fish.
The indigenous and riverside populations in the vicinity are also affected by the contamination and the violence caused by the miners.
According to the PF, the miners take advantage of the dry season, when the river levels are lower, to facilitate the extraction of gold.
Investigations also reveal that illegal mining occurs in indigenous areas.

Source: Amazon Agency