On February 3, police investigating another case stumbled upon a huge illegal accumulation of waste in the Leblon neighborhood of Araxá, Minas Gerais. The site was later revealed to be a 'garbage maze', filled with tons of improper solid and recyclable waste without any authorization from relevant authorities. The investigation led to charges against a 67-year-old man for the unlawful storage of waste, highlighting ongoing environmental concerns in the area.

Authorities quickly responded by involving the Environmental Police and the local Sustainable Planning Institute (IPDSA), which aimed to address the severe pollution issue. Investigators discovered hundreds of garbage bags containing a mix of plastics, paper, wood, and even construction materials scattered across the site, exacerbating the contamination risk to local ecosystems. The leachate from these waste materials had saturated the ground, flowing into the nearby Córrego Grande, a stream that poses a broader environmental threat due to the introduction of hazardous substances.

This case reflects a growing challenge in Brazil regarding illegal waste disposal and its impact on the environment. It underscores the need for stricter enforcement of environmental regulations and more effective waste management strategies to prevent contamination of natural water sources. The community's response to this incident could drive future initiatives aimed at cleaning up existing pollution and preventing further occurrences in a region facing significant ecological pressures.