Police arrested 24 federal environmental protection agents accused of falsifying reports and selling illegal permits, and seven people who allegedly bribed the officials, Brazilian authorities said.
SAO PAULO, Brazil — Police arrested 24 federal environmental protection agents accused of falsifying reports and selling illegal permits, and seven people who allegedly bribed the officials, Brazilian authorities said.
Federal police said in a statement that the suspects, who were arrested in Rio de Janeiro state on Wednesday, allegedly bought and sold permits for out-of-season fishing and illegal construction.
Police said nearly 200 officers participated in the investigation, which began in July 2005 based on a tip by another employee of the environmental agency, known as Ibama.
The Environmental Ministry said it was the biggest operation to curtail environmental crimes in Brazil outside of the Amazon region.
Source: Associated Press
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