In an operation conducted by the Colombian Aerospace Force, the National Police of Colombia and the Federal Police of Brazil, were neutralized the threat of 19 specialized dredgers of the illegal exploitation of mining deposits in the Puré Rivers (Puré National Natural Park) and Pureté River (Amacayacu National Natural Park) in Amazonas.
The coordinated and combined operation conducted by Colombia and Brazil took place for three days and had the determined participation of the Carabineros and Environmental Protection Directorate (DICAR), INTERPOL, AMERIPOL of the Colombian National Police, having as a launching base the Amazon Air Group of the FAC.
Following the guidelines of the National Government, aerial platforms and personnel were sent to the Puré and Pureté rivers to identify and neutralize this type of illegal ships on the banks, which resulted in the destruction of a significant amount of machinery used in illegal mining.
In the Puré River (Puré National Natural Park), Colombian forces destroyed 10 dragon-type dredgers, while Brazilian authorities eliminated seven of these same ships in their territory, an excavator and a fuel transport boat. Similarly, in the Pureté River (Amacayacu National Natural Park), 2 additional dredgers were dismantled.
The National Police estimates that the destroyed equipment is valued at approximately 50 billion pesos, and had a productive capacity of 15,000 grams of gold per month, which means a resounding blow to the illegal economy of these criminal groups, in addition to being a firm declaration of the protection of one of the most vital ecosystems of both nations: the Amazon rainforest.
Source: Press - Colombian Aerospace Force
