March 5, 2022

09:03

Bruno Pacheco – Cenarium Magazine

MANAUS – The Public Security Task Force of Roraima, coordinated by the Federal Police (PF), launched on Friday, 4, in Boa Vista, the “Operation Hefestos” against a group suspected of selling weapons and ammunition to illegal miners in the state. In all, four search and seizure warrants and one temporary arrest warrant were served in the city, issued by the 2nd Criminal Court of the State of Roraima.

The name of the action refers to the god of fire, metals and metallurgy in Greek mythology. The investigations of the case began in November last year, with the arrest in flagrante delicto of two people. According to the Federal Police, these individuals were carrying ammunition of various calibers that would be destined for illegal trade.

At the time, a police investigation was opened and the investigations identified that five other people, whose names were not made public, were involved in the crime and that the weapons and ammunition were being sold to miners in the region. An illegal pistol used to sell for as much as R$ 13 thousand, according to the investigations.

According to the Federal Police, the suspects are being investigated for the heinous crime of illegal trade in firearms and ammunition, with a penalty of 6 to 12 years, and criminal association, with a penalty of 1 to 3 years. In addition, one of the suspects has already been convicted of crimes related to illegal mining and illegal trade in firearms and ammunition.

Indigenous Lands

In February of this year, the Federal Police also launched “Operation Aurum”, with the objective of investigating a scheme of arms trafficking to supply illegal garimpos in the Ianomami Indigenous Land, in Roraima.

At the time, the Federal Police served four search and seizure warrants in Boa Vista. During the search, one person was arrested with five firearms, barrels for revolvers and materials to manufacture weapons. According to the police, an illegal factory of weapons for miners was operating in the suspect’s house.