INTERPOL leads a major South American crackdown on illegal gold mining, with 198 arrests and seizures of gold, cash, and weapons, exposing environmental harm, and cross-border smuggling 

The operation seized cash, unprocessed gold, mercury, firearms, mining equipment, and drugs, and targeted organised crime networks involved in gold smuggling and money laundering. Authorities highlighted that soaring gold prices are fueling criminal activity, causing serious environmental damage and social harm in the Amazon, while follow-up investigations will focus on tracking…