Interpol Leads Massive Crackdown on Illegal Amazon Gold Mining

On November 4th, 2025, Brazilian police, supported by Interpol, carried out a massive crackdown on illegal gold mining activities in the Amazon region. The operation, led by Brazil's Federal Police Amazon and Environment Protection Division, targeted the Madeira River, one of the Amazon's largest tributaries, and resulted in the destruction of 277 floating mining rafts worth an estimated $6.8 million.

When factoring in the lost gold, equipment, and environmental damage, officials estimated the total financial impact on organized crime groups to be around $193 million. The raids were part of a broader effort by law enforcement agencies from several Amazon countries, coordinated through a new regional center, to combat environmental crimes such as illegal mining, logging, and wildlife trafficking.

More than 100 officers used satellite data to map 400 square kilometers of forest and river areas scarred by mining activities. Samples of sediment and other materials were collected for forensic analysis to trace the origin of the illicit operations and detect hazardous substances like mercury and cyanide. Residents were also tested for possible toxic exposure linked to the gold mining.

The crackdown marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to protect the Amazon from environmental destruction and organized crime. Authorities aim to identify and prosecute the financiers and ringleaders behind the illegal gold trade, not just the individual miners who are often exploited in the process.