PORTO VELHO, BRAZIL - A man was arrested while transporting about 1.2 kilograms of gold on Wednesday (Aug. 5) in the municipality of Guajará-Mirim, Rondônia state, Brazil. The operation was carried out by the Brazilian Federal Police (PF), in cooperation with the Federal Highway Police (PRF) and the Border Police Battalion (BPFron).

According to the Federal Police, the arrest took place during a vehicle inspection. Officers found one gold bar and two additional gold pieces hidden inside a concealed compartment in the vehicle.

Police said the driver failed to provide documentation proving the legal origin of the mineral. In addition to the gold, officers also found small packages containing a substance believed to be cocaine.

The gold and the vehicle were seized. The suspect was taken to the Federal Police station in Guajará-Mirim, where he remained in custody pending judicial proceedings.

According to the Federal Police, the suspect may face charges of unlawfully exploiting assets belonging to the Brazilian federal government, an offense established under legislation governing the illegal exploitation of mineral resources.

Amazon Agency