BELÉM, BRAZIL — An illegal timber operation was shut down during an operation targeting environmental crimes in Uruará, in southwestern Pará state.

According to investigators, the facility received timber illegally extracted from the Cachoeira Seca Indigenous Territory. The company operated along the Trans-Amazonian Highway (BR-230).

The operation involved inspectors from the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama), officers from the Federal Highway Police (PRF) and members of the National Force.

According to investigators, the timber operation had been under an embargo since 2017 but continued operating without a license. During the inspection, authorities found about 365 cubic meters of timber considered illegal in the facility's yard.

To prevent the operation from continuing, agents destroyed the warehouse structure and the seized timber.

A front-end loader was also destroyed. According to the operation, the equipment had no brakes and was fitted with an improvised fuel tank.

The person responsible for the company is expected to face charges over the irregularities identified during the operation.

Amazon Agency