PF launches operation against illegal diamond extraction and trade

The Federal Police (PF) carried out, this Wednesday (26), 42 search and seizure warrants and eight preventive arrest warrants in the states of Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Paraná, Minas Gerais and São Paulo, and in the District Federal. Precautionary measures are also being fulfilled with international police and legal cooperation with the United States, Belgium, England and the United Arab Emirates. The actions are part of Operation Itamarã, to dismantle an international criminal organization, specialized in the exploitation, intermediation, trade and illegal export of precious stones, mainly rough diamonds and gold. The group operates in several countries and moves millionaire resources. “Investigations began in the second half of 2020, when information received by the Federal Police Intelligence Unit, in Piracicaba, pointed to the existence of a criminal organization that would operate in irregular mineral extraction, qualified reception and smuggling of precious stones,” he said. the PF in note. Confirmation of the existence of this organization occurred, according to the PF, when one of those investigated was arrested when boarding at Guarulhos International Airport to Dubai, transporting rough diamonds valued at more than R$ 350,000 and without the corresponding tax documentation. In December 2020, a load of gold bars bound for the USA, from the same organization, was intercepted by the Federal Revenue Service, at Confins Airport, in Minas Gerais. On another occasion, one of the group’s members was arrested with 40 uncut diamonds upon entering the US. So far, there is evidence that the criminal organization has extended its activities to more than ten countries. Suppliers, customers and banking institutions used for financial engineering, with transactions in excess of R$ 30 million, are involved. Negotiations were identified with people in China, England, Belgium, United Arab Emirates, United States, Singapore, France, Canada, Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, Spain, Sierra Leone and Switzerland, in addition to structured operations in Brazilian territory in several states. The investigations pointed out that the criminals opened companies to issue false invoices to deceive the inspection bodies, in addition to co-opting legitimate companies, duly registered in the National Registry of Commerce of Rough Diamonds (CNCD), to issue false documents and enable the remittance of stones outside.

Agência Brasil