July 15, 2022

18:07

Eliziane Paiva -Amazon Agency

MANAUS – The Federal Police (PF) seized, on Thursday, 14, more than seven tons of cassiterite, with an estimated value of R$ 800 thousand, in a truck on Buriti Avenue, Industrial District, South Zone of Manaus. Nine people were arrested, including an 18-year-old minor. Two cars were also collected.

According to the delegate holder of the Specialized in Robbery and Theft of Vehicles (Derfv), Rafael Soibelman, the seizure occurred after reports that a possible theft of trucks and trucks would be happening coming from the state of Roraima.

Soon at the beginning of the investigations it was found that it was illegal ore cargo and was destined for the capital of Amazonas.

Read also: MPF asks that the transfer of the value acquired in auction of seized minerals be destined to indigenous people in RR

“On Wednesday, we had information about the whereabouts of a truck carrying the ore in the Industrial District neighborhood. So we did a stakeout on Buriti Avenue and verified a suspicious movement of these individuals. When we approached the vehicle, we found that there were more than seven tons of ore, with an estimated value of R$800,000”, reported Soibelman.

The delegate also reported that the criminal action had the help of two other vehicles that cooperated to transport the ore, and were also seized a gun and the amount of R$ 5 thousand found with one of the men who drove one of the cars.

Cassiterite ore, widely used for the manufacture of cell phone screens, in the coating of cars and for the manufacture of glass, the police investigate whether the goods could be sold to some company in the Industrial District of Manaus.

In addition, cassiterite has metal present in cans of food and, in view of the place of seizure, Soibelman also points out that, “they did not tell us who would buy the ore, but our team suspects that some company would receive the cassiterite, precisely because of the location where we made the seizure, given that the material is used for the manufacture of various materials”, said.

During the approach, after the police inquired about the regularization of the cargo, an invoice was presented with the date in April and with the number of ore exceeding what the truck was carrying.

The suspects were sent to the headquarters of the Federal Police (PF), to give statements and remain at the disposal of Justice, since the transport of illegal ore cargo is recognized as a federal crime. The typifications of the crimes are of the same competence, as explained by the delegate.