In the place was neutralized the threat of 8 mining production units and materials with which they could extract up to 1500 grams of gold monthly, that would cost commercially about 600 million pesos.
Troops of the Infantry Battalion Nº 22, the Brigade against Illegal Mining, the Civil Security Battalion Nº 5, the Colombian Aerospace Force, the CTI (Technical Investigations Corps) of the Attorney General's Office, the Carabineros Police and Corpocaldas, through unified ground operations in the village of Bajo Guascal, of the municipality of Supía (Caldas), reported the arrest of 8 people accused of illicit extraction; troops also found the machinery.
On the banks of the Cauca River, a wooden structure was found. There the 8 people were, along with 4 engines, 8 motor pumps, 150 meters of hoses, 25 barrels, 8 mining production units and various elements typical of illicit activity that would cost approximately 80 million pesos.
According to information provided by the authority, through this activity they extracted up to 1500 grams of gold per month, equivalent to about 600 million pesos in illicit income. In addition, they caused a serious environmental impact, with damages such as deforestation, soil erosion and the degradation of ecosystems.
Source: National Army - Fifth Division
