A criminal organization involved in the illicit deforestation of large portions of Brazil's forests has been stopped. At least six members of the organization, described by authorities as the “the greatest destroyers of the Brazilian Amazon rainforest,” have been arrested as of Aug. 28, with warrants issued for others. Police apprehended five men and one woman in the Brazilian state of Para, with a total of 14 warrants issued across four states. 

 The warrants and arrests came as the result of a joint investigation called “Operation Chestnut” between the Brazilian Institute of environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA), the Federal Police, the IRS, and federal prosecutors. The operation’s moniker was inspired by a species of protected chestnut tree that is considered a symbol of the Amazon.

The group even targeted national parks, including Jimanxim National Park in western Para. According to data from Global Forest Watch, Jimanxim lost approximately 9,000 hectares of – or 1.3 percent – of its forests between 2001 and 2013. It is as-yet unknown how much of this loss is attributable to the organization in question. The park is home to the bare-eyed antibird (Rhegmatorhina gymnops), which has a very small range and is listed by the IUCN as Vulnerable due to habitat loss.

The organization’s members will be charged with invasion of public lands, theft, tax evasion, environmental crimes, forgery, conspiracy, and money laundering. If convicted, the sentence for all charges could exceed 50 years in prison – however, under Brazilian law the maximum sentence is 30 years.

Brazil has one of the highest rates of deforestation in the world. According to Global Forest Watch, the country lost more than 36 million hectares of forest between 2001 and 2013. However, the rate has decreased 80 percent since 2004 despite the Brazil’s economic growth, and the country’s leaders have pledged to reduce deforestation a further 80 percent by 2020 if supported by big business.