In a landmark cross-border initiative, law enforcement agencies from four Amazon nations have conducted their first coordinated crackdown on illegal gold mining, resulting in nearly 200 arrests. The operation, which spanned Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana and Suriname, represents a significant escalation in efforts to combat environmental crime in the world's largest rainforest.
Major Seizures and Arrests
Authorities confirmed that the joint operation led to the seizure of substantial quantities of cash, unprocessed gold, mercury, firearms, drugs and mining equipment. Among the most notable arrests were three men detained in Guyana on suspicion of gold smuggling and money laundering, with officers confiscating unprocessed gold and approximately $590,000 in cash. Investigators believe these suspects form part of an organised crime group with potential links to a major gold exporting company operating within Guyana.
Environmental and Human Impact
Illegal gold mining has emerged as a primary driver of deforestation and river pollution throughout the Amazon basin. The practice contaminates vital waterways with toxic mercury while devastating lands traditionally relied upon by Indigenous communities. With global gold prices reaching near-record highs in recent years, this destructive activity has expanded rapidly, pushing miners deeper into remote forest regions and transforming gold into one of the most profitable commodities for transnational organised crime networks.
Valdecy Urquiza, Interpol's Secretary General, emphasised the severity of the situation in an official statement: "Illegal gold mining is growing rapidly and causing serious harm to the environment and local communities, especially in remote and fragile areas."
Operation Details and Methods
Codenamed Operation Guyana Shield, the initiative involved more than 24,500 checks on vehicles and individuals across remote border areas. Police conducted coordinated inspections along shared borders, including both sides of rivers separating the participating nations. Officers thoroughly searched vehicles, boats and small riverside shops known to supply fuel, tools and other equipment commonly used in illegal mining operations.
Mercury Smuggling and Human Trafficking
Among the most concerning discoveries were cylinders of mercury worth over $60,000 seized in Guyana and Suriname. Mercury, used extensively in illegal gold mining to separate gold from other materials, is highly toxic and poses severe contamination risks to rivers, wildlife and human populations. Interpol revealed that the mercury had been concealed inside solar panels and transported via bus services.
The operation also uncovered disturbing evidence of human exploitation. Authorities intercepted a bus carrying undocumented migrants, including several minors suspected of being victims of forced labour or sexual exploitation, highlighting the broader human rights abuses associated with illegal mining networks.
International Cooperation and Future Implications
Supported by Interpol, the European Union and Dutch police specialising in environmental crime, Operation Guyana Shield marks a substantial advancement in regional cooperation. The dense rainforest, vast distances and porous borders of the Amazon have historically presented significant challenges for policing illegal mining activities, making this coordinated effort particularly noteworthy.
Additional seizures during the operation included counterfeit medicines, alcohol and cigarettes valued at over $40,000, alongside mining pumps, gold collection mats, firearms and mobile phones. The successful collaboration between Brazilian, French Guianan, Guyanese and Surinamese authorities demonstrates a growing commitment to addressing the complex environmental and criminal challenges posed by illegal gold mining in one of the world's most vital ecosystems.
