In Novo Progresso, 'Operation Curupira' catches owner of deforested area in the act
Suspect will answer for environmental crimes and active corruption
An inspection action carried out on Sunday (27) by the security and inspection teams that are part of the 62nd phase of Operation Curupira, coordinated by the Secretariats of Public Security and Social Defense (Segup) and Environment, Climate and Sustainability (Semas), caught a man, the owner of a devastated area, in the act at Km-46 of BR 163 in the municipality of Novo Progresso, southwest of Pará, for committing environmental crimes and active corruption.
The head of the Secretariat of Public Security and Social Defense, Ualame Machado, reported that since the beginning of the operation in 2023, in addition to field inspection actions, investigative work has been essential to identify the main responsible parties for environmental crimes, who are the masterminds and owners of the areas. Thus, the arrest in the act of a person responsible for the area reinforces the increasingly effective actions within the operation.
“This Sunday, the inspection teams made this important arrest within the scope of Operation Curupira, which is the result of an integrated and comprehensive inspection and investigation work so that we can reach the true authors of environmental crimes in Pará. We affirm that we will continue working to reduce illicit activities like this and hold the perpetrators accountable,” said Ualame.
In the Act
The arrest occurred during an inspection in a deforestation area located on Vicinal Para, Km 46 of BR 163, aimed at curbing the practice of environmental crimes. At the site, the team caught a 60-year-old man, the owner of the devastated area, carrying two chainsaws without legal authorization.
After the approach, the suspect offered the amount of R$ 5,000 for the inspectors not to proceed with the administrative sanction and seizure of the illegal items. In light of this act, the man was taken to the Novo Progresso Police Station, where he was arrested in the act for active corruption in material concurrence with the environmental crimes provided for in articles 50 and 51 of the Environmental Crimes Law 9605/98.
In the action, the chainsaws and a loader that was on site were also seized.
“The action of Semas in Operation Curupira involves continuous monitoring through satellite images, technical inspections, and the fieldwork of our inspection teams. This arrest is the result of a coordinated effort to act quickly in response to deforestation alerts and ensure the accountability of offenders. Cases like this show that the State is present and vigilant, combating illegal practices and protecting the environmental heritage of Pará,” said Tobias Brancher, director of Environmental Inspection at Semas.
After all the necessary procedures at the Civil Police Station, the suspect remains at the disposal of justice where he will undergo a custody hearing.
Operation Curupira
Launched in February 2023, Operation Curupira continues to operate from three fixed bases in the municipalities of São Félix do Xingu, Novo Progresso, and Uruará. So far, more than 2,260 inspections have been carried out, over 90 arrests in the act; 27 bail amounts set, 52 police inquiries initiated; more than 180 summons issued; 220 infraction notices; 58 circumstantial occurrence terms (TCOs), 679 ammunition seized, and over 200 firearms seized.
The actions of Curupira aim to combat illegal deforestation and the exploitation of the natural resources of the Amazon rainforest, being integrated by teams from the Secretariat of Public Security and Social Defense (Segup), the State Secretariat for Environment and Sustainability (Semas); Military, Civil, and Scientific Police, and the Military Fire Brigade.
