Illegal gold mining routes shift to Venezuela and Guyana to evade Brazilian oversight

Criminal networks involved in illegal gold mining in Brazil are shifting their laundering tactics to avoid increased government oversight. Previously, illegally extracted gold was shipped directly from Brazilian ports in Pará and São Paulo to markets in the United States and Europe.

Due to intensified inspections under the Lula administration, smugglers are now using neighboring South American countries—specifically Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname—as intermediaries. The gold is transported via roads, aircraft, and clandestine routes to these nations before being exported to other continents.

The state of Roraima has emerged as a primary corridor for this activity. The Federal Highway Police (PRF) has reported record seizures on the BR-174 and BR-401 highways, which connect the state to the Venezuelan and Guyanese borders. Between 2023 and June 2026, the PRF seized 334 kilograms of gold, most of which was found in Roraima. To evade detection, transporters utilize “cabriteiras,” which are clandestine paths running parallel to official federal highways.