With the support of the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources, the operation, carried out in regions of the states of Parana, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul, and Sao Paulo, dismantled a scheme with connections to Uruguay and Argentina.
Eleven search and seizure warrants were made, in addition to five in flagrante delicto arrests in eight municipalities and Sao Paulo capital.
Those involved coordinated the transport of birds, reptiles, and mammals from Brazil abroad via routes on the border of Uruguaiana, a municipality in Rio Grande do Sul, operating clandestine structures with cages and sales in private groups.
In the operation, 18 birds, seven undocumented turtles, three unregistered firearms, were seized.
There was also evidence of animal abuse.
abo/jdt/jrr/ro/ocs