Brazilian Police Arrest Harley Sandoval, Use Forensic Technology to Combat Illicit Gold Trade in Tocantins

Dec 14, 2024, 12:55 PM

Brazilian authorities are intensifying their efforts to combat the illicit gold trade in the Amazon using advanced forensic technology. The Brazilian Federal Police have implemented a program designed to identify the origin of gold and monitor its flow through the market. This initiative, referred to as tracking the 'DNA of Brazilian gold,' aims to dismantle operations linked to illegal mining. Recently, Harley Sandoval was arrested for illegally exporting gold that was falsely claimed to be sourced from a legal prospect in Tocantins. Investigators noted that no gold has been mined in that area since colonial times, highlighting the scale of the illicit trade and the challenges faced by law enforcement.