A group suspected of operating air logistics for illegal mining in the Yanomami Indigenous Land, the largest in Brazil, moved more than BRL 200 million in two years, according to a Federal Police investigation that resulted in a new operation this Thursday (19) .
The group, says the PF, is made up of businessman Rodrigo Martins de Mello, a pre-candidate for federal deputy for the PL, President Jair Bolsonaro’s political party. Mello started to coordinate a prospector movement in Roraima that tries to legitimize criminal activity in Yanomami territory.
According to the PF, aircraft on behalf of companies in the group are used to transport people, fuel and equipment to mining areas on Yanomami land, as a way of carrying out the illegal extraction of minerals.
Mello is suspected of leading a logistical operation that guarantees the illegal exploitation of ores on Yanomami land, mainly gold and cassiterite.
Sought, Mello did not manifest until the publication of this text.
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon