In a surprise operation at Boa Vista International Airport on 3 December, Federal Police agents boarded a privately chartered turboprop arriving from Pará and discovered 54 gold bars weighing 51.4 kilograms, along with a handgun and ammunition. The haul, worth roughly US$3 million, lacked proper export permits and was concealed under cabin panels.
The aircraft’s pilot and three passengers—including a 17-year-old—were detained and transferred to Federal Police headquarters. Charges under consideration range from illegal exploitation of mineral resources to money laundering and arms violations. The National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) immediately suspended the pilot’s licence and signalled it will audit the operator’s charter fleet.
![Federal Police Seize 51 kg of Gold From Private Plane, Pledging Tighter Airport Inspections]()
The bust comes amid rising scrutiny of small-aircraft movements between remote Amazon airstrips and northern frontier hubs. Security analysts note that gold and timber smuggling often piggy-backs on legitimate passenger or corporate shuttle flights, exploiting light-touch screening at secondary terminals.
For corporate travel and mobility teams the message is clear: expect more random inspections of business jets and stricter documentation checks for high-value cargo, even when flights originate domestically. Operators transporting company equipment or samples should ensure manifests are complete and declare items that might trigger customs questions.
The Ministry of Finance welcomed the seizure, emphasising that undeclared mineral exports undermine tax revenues and Brazil’s ESG credentials. Additional joint PF-ANAC inspection sweeps are planned for Manaus, Santarém and smaller Pará strips over the coming weeks.
The aircraft’s pilot and three passengers—including a 17-year-old—were detained and transferred to Federal Police headquarters. Charges under consideration range from illegal exploitation of mineral resources to money laundering and arms violations. The National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) immediately suspended the pilot’s licence and signalled it will audit the operator’s charter fleet.
The bust comes amid rising scrutiny of small-aircraft movements between remote Amazon airstrips and northern frontier hubs. Security analysts note that gold and timber smuggling often piggy-backs on legitimate passenger or corporate shuttle flights, exploiting light-touch screening at secondary terminals.
For corporate travel and mobility teams the message is clear: expect more random inspections of business jets and stricter documentation checks for high-value cargo, even when flights originate domestically. Operators transporting company equipment or samples should ensure manifests are complete and declare items that might trigger customs questions.
The Ministry of Finance welcomed the seizure, emphasising that undeclared mineral exports undermine tax revenues and Brazil’s ESG credentials. Additional joint PF-ANAC inspection sweeps are planned for Manaus, Santarém and smaller Pará strips over the coming weeks.
