On October 19, 2023, the Brazilian Federal Police executed 35 judicial warrants across six states, including Macapá, Manaus, São Paulo, São João del-Rei, Joinville, and Boa Vista, as part of Operation Trono de Ferro. This operation led to the arrest of nine individuals and 26 searches and seizures aimed at dismantling a criminal organization involved in the illegal extraction and commercialization of cassiterite. The group reportedly operated clandestine mines in Amapá, Roraima, and Venezuela, fraudulently introducing the mineral into the formal market.

The investigation revealed that this criminal organization exploited mining permits, utilized fake invoices, and established shell companies to "launder" the mineral and conceal the origin of the funds. Authorities estimate that around R$ 400 million worth of illegally obtained cassiterite may have been injected into the market. In response to these findings, the Federal Court ordered the freezing of approximately R$ 405 million in assets and values associated with the investigation, emphasizing the scale of this illegal operation and its economic implications.

The arrested individuals are facing potential charges for organized crime and money laundering, indicating the serious legal ramifications tied to their actions. This operation not only aims to dismantle a significant illegal mining operation in Brazil but also reflects broader concerns about environmental crime and the impact of such activities on local communities and economies. The Federal Police's intensive approach underscores the seriousness with which the Brazilian authorities are treating issues of illegal mining and resource exploitation in the region.