Federal operations in Yanomami Land seize heavy weapons, deny illegal access to the region

In May, 173 operations were carried out, with the destruction of 177 pieces of heavy equipment and seizure of 11 weapons, including a submachine gun

Published in Jun 07, 2024 07:40 PM Updated in Jun 07, 2024 07:54 PM

Security operations focused on identifying and destroying criminal infrastructure found on the Indigenous land - Credit: Comando Conjunto Catrimani II/Divulgação

Federal agents seized 11 weapons, including a .40 submachine gun, and arrested 11 suspects during operations in the Yanomami Indigenous Territory (TIY), according to the June 4^th monthly report issued by the Government House (Casa de Governo).

Over the month of May, federal agencies carried out 173 operations, destroying 134 engines, 43 generators and 9,335 liters of diesel fuel, as well as seizing 7.8 kilos of gold. Eleven aircraft were also seized or destroyed.

The Armed Forces seized a 40-caliber pistol, a 12mm rifle, a 38-caliber revolver, ammunition, a bulletproof vest, two holsters and three communication radios.

The other six weapons were discovered by the Federal Police, the National Foundation for Indigenous Peoples (Fundação Nacional dos Povos Indígenas – FUNAI), the National Force and the Federal Highway Police.

Also according to the Government House, since the start of the TIY protection operations, 686 operations have been carried out to combat illegal mining, with the destruction of 411 engines, 107 generators, the seizure of 8,338 kg of gold and the destruction of 63,279 liters of diesel. The number of aircraft destroyed and seized during the period reached 12. The seizure of aircraft is a key step in denying access to TIY, which can only be reached by aircraft or by boat.

Security operations have focused on identifying and destroying the criminal infrastructure in indigenous lands. The Government House was set up to monitor and coordinate the work of the 31 federal agencies present in the state. These include the Federal Police, the Federal Highway Police, Ibama, Funai and the Armed Forces.

Health

Federal officials also inaugurated a new dining area at the Indigenous Health House (Casai) in Boa Vista to provide meals to the indigenous population currently housed there, a BRL 2 million investment. The Minister of Education, Camilo Santana, also signed a contract for the construction of a new hospital at the Federal University of Roraima (UFRR), with a hub dedicated to the care of indigenous peoples.