In a landmark cross-border operation, law enforcement agencies from Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname have arrested nearly 200 individuals suspected of involvement in illegal gold mining activities in the Amazon region. The coordinated effort, backed by Interpol, the EU, and Dutch police specialising in environmental crime, is a significant step forward in combating this pervasive issue.
The operation, dubbed “Operation Guyana Shield,” saw over 24,500 checks on vehicles and people across remote border areas, leading to the seizure of cash, unprocessed gold, mercury, firearms, drugs, and mining equipment. Among those arrested were three men in Guyana suspected of gold smuggling and money laundering, with authorities believing they may have links to a major gold exporting company in the country.
Illegal gold mining has become a major driver of deforestation and river pollution in the Amazon, contaminating waterways with toxic mercury and damaging land relied upon by indigenous communities. In recent years, the activity has expanded rapidly as global gold prices have climbed to near-record highs, pushing miners deeper into remote forest regions and turning gold into one of the most profitable commodities for organised crime groups operating across borders.
Interpol’s Secretary General, Valdecy Urquiza, emphasised the serious harm caused by this illegal activity, stating, “Illegal gold mining is growing rapidly and causing serious harm to the environment and local communities, especially in remote and fragile areas.”
During the operation, authorities seized cylinders of mercury worth more than $60,000 in Guyana and Suriname. Mercury is commonly used in illegal gold mining to separate gold from other materials, but it is highly toxic and can contaminate rivers, wildlife, and people. The mercury had been hidden inside solar panels and transported by bus, highlighting the sophisticated methods employed by the criminal networks.
In addition to the seizure of gold and mercury, police also confiscated counterfeit medicines, alcohol, and cigarettes worth more than $40,000, along with mining pumps, mats used to collect gold, firearms, and mobile phones. Authorities also stopped a bus carrying undocumented migrants, including several minors, underscoring the human impact of these illegal mining networks, with concerns of potential forced labour or sexual exploitation.
Interpol stated that Operation Guyana Shield marked a significant step forward in cooperation between countries in the Amazon region, where dense rainforests, long distances, and porous borders have long made it difficult to police illegal mining activities. This coordinated crackdown serves as a strong message that such illicit operations will not be tolerated, and that regional authorities are committed to protecting the Amazon’s precious natural resources and the communities that depend on them.
