Police in Brazil's northern state of Para have carried out an operation against a group suspected of using chemicals to clear a vast area of the Amazon rainforest, according to a statement from officials. The operation, reported by infohub.kz, involved the execution of 13 search warrants and three precautionary measures, with no arrests made.
The suspects are alleged to have been involved in spraying chemicals across 10,180 hectares (about 25,200 acres) of native forest in the city of Uruara, degrading the vegetation before cutting down the trees. The cleared land was later converted into pasture for commercial use, investigators said. It was not immediately clear when the chemicals were applied or when the deforestation occurred.
Authorities said the suspects' activities ranged from purchasing chemicals to concealing environmental information. Those under investigation could face charges including environmental crimes, illegal use of toxic substances, fraud in environmental proceedings, and criminal conspiracy.
The Amazon, the world's largest rainforest, plays a critical role in regulating the climate far beyond South America. Scientists warn that its depletion could accelerate global warming and disrupt agriculture as far away as the U.S. Midwest and parts of Europe. Brazil has made progress in reducing deforestation, but cattle ranching remains the main driver of it, as ranchers clear large swaths of forest to enable cattle to graze.
According to MapBiomas, an organization tracking land use in Brazil, deforestation in the Amazon fell by 23.5% in 2025 compared to the previous year. Still, nearly 290,000 hectares (716,605 acres) of forest was cleared. Agriculture and cattle ranching accounted for 99% of the native vegetation loss.