Story perspectives

Operation Guyana Shield: 200 Arrested in Gold Smuggling Crackdown

1/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

Operation Guyana Shield, led by Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname, resulted in about 200 arrests, including three men detained in Guyana for gold smuggling.
In December 2025, authorities conducted over 24,500 checks on vehicles and people.
Authorities confiscated cash, unprocessed gold, mercury, firearms, and counterfeit goods worth over $40,000.
The operation highlights environmental and health risks from illegal mining, including forced labor among minors.

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Story summary

Operation Guyana Shield, led by Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname, resulted in about 200 arrests, including three men detained in Guyana for gold smuggling.
In December 2025, authorities conducted over 24,500 checks on vehicles and people.
Authorities confiscated cash, unprocessed gold, mercury, firearms, and counterfeit goods worth over $40,000.
The operation highlights environmental and health risks from illegal mining, including forced labor among minors.