Members of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) apprehended two Colombian women who were operating in a camp dedicated to activities of environmental destruction and devastation in the municipality of Atabapo, Amazonas state, reported the head of the institution's Strategic Operational Command, Domingo Hernández Lárez.
The detainees were identified as Roxana Elena Morales Maestre, 36, and Mariana Paola Chaparro Medina, 18.
During the operation, three electric generators, coolers, freezers, and gasoline-type fuel were seized and incinerated.
In another operation, FANB officials detected and destroyed mining materials and equipment hidden in the jungle foliage in an area near the indigenous community of Carida, Mina Nueva sector, in Amazonas.
In this incident, 400 liters of gasoline-type fuel, 50 PVC pipes of 4”, one thousand two hundred meters of 4” high-pressure hose, eight mats used as a sieve and a mining hydrojet were seized and destroyed.
In this regard, Hernández Lárez recalled that illegal mining is prohibited by the Venezuelan State, according to the provisions of the Environmental Criminal Law.
“Venezuela is a land of peace, law, and justice that fights daily against environmental destruction and illegal mining. Destroying nature is neither a way nor a means of employment,” he stated.
The cases were referred to the Public Prosecutor's Office.
