Farmers in Brazil have reportedly generated over R$ 26 million through the illegal sale of fuel to support mining activities on indigenous land, leading to arrests and a federal investigation.
According to a Federal Police investigation, farmers involved in the illegal sale of fuel for mining activities in Sararé, Mato Grosso, have generated more than R$ 26 million. The illegal operations were primarily supplying diesel to fuel activities in areas of indigenous land, which have been severely affected by mining activities. The investigation underscores the significant economic incentives driving unlawful resource extraction in environmentally sensitive regions of the Amazon.
Two farmers were arrested during an operation conducted on Monday, with a third suspect currently evading capture after the Federal Police discovered over four million liters of diesel being sold illegally over a span of 21 months. The Federal Police released recordings showing officials entering the farms as part of their operation, which also included searches at the homes of the investigated individuals.
Agents noted discrepancies in the activities carried out on the farms, primarily geared towards cattle ranching, which typically does not require substantial machinery that would necessitate such high fuel consumption. This case highlights the broader issues of environmental degradation and illegal activities tied to the agriculture and mining sectors in Brazil, calling into question the enforcement of laws meant to protect indigenous territories and preserve the integrity of the Amazon rainforest.
