Four foreigners arrested in illegal mining crackdown in Peru's Amazonas region; assets worth over $2.8 million seized

Peruvian authorities have detained four Ecuadorian citizens and seized assets worth over S/10.3 million (approximately $2.8 million USD) in an operation targeting illegal mining activities in the Amazonas region. The intervention took place in the Sanwintza stream and river, within the El Cenepa district of the Condorcanqui province.

Police identified the first detainees as Ángel Iván García Rivera, 36, and José Miguel Aguilar Villalta, 30, both Ecuadorian nationals. During their apprehension, officers found them with 500 meters of safety fuse and 100 detonators. Later, César David Marín Cabrera, 31, and Ángel Jefferson Bermeo Pineda, 23, also from Ecuador, were apprehended at the El Tambo Military Police Base. Police sources indicate that these two allegedly offered a $265 bribe to an officer to prevent the initial detainees from being handed over to authorities.

The operation uncovered deforested areas and machinery, equipment, and supplies believed to be used for illegal mining. The estimated value of these seized goods is S/10,376,000. The items confiscated during the arrests were valued at S/51,010, in addition to the alleged bribe money. The police reported that a group led by Saúl Yampis Kantua attempted to obstruct the operation, leading officers to fire warning shots into the air. No injuries were reported during this confrontation, and the operation was successfully concluded.