In joint, coordinated and interagency operations carried out by the Colombian Navy, Colombian National Army, the Colombian Aerospace Force, the National Police and the Attorney General's Office, seven people were arrested and a dredger used for the illegal extraction of mining sites was found in the municipality of Coayare-Inírida, department of Guainía.
On the Guaviare River, near the banks of Coayare, members of the Naval Institution arrested in flagrante delicto four people who carried out illegal mineral extraction activities aboard rudimentary mining production units. An element of River Operations in the area, achieved this operation thanks to valuable information that led to identify the illegal activity and act effectively.
In the same way, through the work of Naval Intelligence, the Attorney General's Office made effective in Coayare, three arrest warrants against individuals who allegedly would be part of a criminal structure specializing in illegal mining in Inírida - Guainía.
The arrested and the material were put into custody of the judicial authorities; while the dredge built for illegal mining, was taken by waterway to Inírida by troops of the Navy Infantry River Battalion No. 50 to be put into custody of the authorities for subsequent destruction.
It should be noted that, through this work of the military operation, the pollution of rivers by toxic chemicals such as mercury is stopped. In the same way, the destruction of river habitats is stopped, excessive sedimentation due to the removal of the riverbed that disturbs the quality of water and life of communities, and deforestation, erosion and loss of river vegetation.
The Colombian Navy, through the Orinoquia Naval Force, will continue to carry out joint and coordinated operations to counter the illegal exploitation of non-renewable resources in this area of the country, reaffirming its commitment to the preservation of water, biodiversity and the environment in the region.
Source: Press – Navy of Colombia
