Mining Operations Targeted: Over a Hundred Anti-Corruption and Environmental Measures Carried Out by PF
Operation Reject: Cracking Down on a Criminal Organization Involved in Environmental Crimes, Corruption, and Money Laundering
On September 17, the Federal Police launched Operation Reject, targeting a criminal organization suspected of engaging in environmental crimes, money laundering, and corruption. The operation has garnered the support of the Union's General Comptroller's Office, the Federal Public Ministry, and the Federal Revenue Service.
The group is suspected of obtaining fraudulent environmental authorizations and licenses to illegally exploit iron ore on a large scale. This illicit activity, which occurred in protected areas and near preservation areas, is estimated to have yielded at least R$ 1.5 billion in profit.
The investigation identifies the group as being involved in ongoing mining projects with an economic potential of over R$ 18 billion. The exploitation of iron ore, it is claimed, has posed a high risk of social and human disasters due to the environmental consequences of their activities.
The charges against the group may include environmental crimes, active and passive corruption, criminal organization, money laundering, obstruction of criminal investigation, and usurpation of union assets. The group is also suspected of bribing public servants in various environmental and mining oversight bodies.
To tackle this criminal organization, 79 search and seizure warrants have been carried out, leading to the blocking or seizure of assets worth R$ 1.5 billion. However, no new information about additional assets being seized or search and seizure warrants was provided in this paragraph.
The investigation also reveals that the suspects may have used various artifices to launder money obtained from illicit practices. The group's activities have been hindering investigations and monitoring authorities, according to the investigation.
Despite the extensive search results, the search does not provide specific information about the alleged mastermind ('Hintermann') of the criminal organization suspected by the Bundespolizei in Operation Reject. The public servants involved in these activities have had their activities suspended pending further investigation.
The fight against environmental crimes, corruption, and money laundering continues, as Operation Reject demonstrates the commitment of the authorities to uphold the law and protect the environment for future generations.
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