The investigation and repression of crimes against the environment, illegal trade in mercury, organization and criminal association, reception, smuggling, false documents and money laundering in seven states of the country is the objective of Operation Hermes (Hg), launched this morning Thursday (1st). According to the Federal Police and the Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama), responsible for the action, the objective is to eliminate a criminal fraud scheme in the Federal Technical Register (CTF), which is the import and trade control system of metallic mercury. The crimes are related to the smuggling and concealment of mercury, a product destined to supply mining in states of the Legal Amazon (Mato Grosso, Rondônia and Pará). “The frauds identified and investigated have as their modus operandi the entry of false data into the system and the sale of fictitious virtual credits that cover sales and transport of real mercury without legal origin. The investigation points to evidence of more than two tons of mercury sold using criminal methods, to the detriment of Ibama’s control systems,” explained the PF in a note. The expectation is that, in the end, more than five tons of mercury credits without origin will be eliminated from the CTF. “The CTF provides that all commercialization and use of metallic mercury in Brazil takes place in strict compliance with the legislation. This institutional scope is key to the implementation of the International Convention of Minamata, ratified by Brazil on 8.8.2017, after approval by the UN”, added the PF. Warrants Operation Hermes (Hg) is the largest operation to dismantle the illegal use of mercury in history. The agents are serving, as determined by the 1st Federal Court in Campinas, five preventive arrest warrants; nine of temporary arrest (up to 5 days), in addition to 49 search warrants in municipalities in the states of Mato Grosso, São Paulo, Goiás, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul and Rondônia, including residences, company headquarters, warehouses and areas of mining. “In addition to the warrants, the kidnapping and unavailability of assets of those investigated in an amount exceeding R$ 1.1 billion, corresponding to the calculated value of damage to the treasury”, detailed the PF. The operation also encompasses the inspection of mining areas by Ibama, with the possibility of fines, suspension of activities and embargoes, as well as the investigation of conduct by individuals and companies involved in the import and sale of mercury, waste recyclers and gold mining companies headquartered in municipalities in the states of Santa Catarina, São Paulo, Mato Grosso and Pará. Mercury Controlling mercury is an instrument for protecting the environment and defending public health, since its misuse can contaminate rivers where it is used, compromising animals, fish and humans. As it is a toxic element, it can cause irreversible damage, including in the central nervous system and lead to death. Brazil does not extract the substance from nature, its origin is in the import or recycling of waste such as light bulbs and dental materials. If the origin is legal, the owners have the right to enter their credits in kilograms in the CTF’s mercury control system and make sales to companies licensed by the state environmental agencies. Hermes (Hg) The PF further explained that the name of the operation, “Hermes (Hg)”, is an allusion to the name of the Greek god equivalent to the god Mercury for the Romans, while the (Hg) refers to the name of the element in the table periodical.
Agência Brasil
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