In a startling revelation, the Iwokrama International Centre disclosed that several Brazilian nationals entered Guyana under the guise of tourists to engage in illegal gold mining within the Iwokrama Rainforest, a protected area. The Centre, established by the Guyana government and the Commonwealth, reported that these individuals fled their operations, leaving behind passports that confirmed their involvement in illicit activities. Two of the miners, Jailson Ferreira Lima and Iago Silva Alves, were apprehended, while others, including Jose Antonio Rodrigues Dos Santos and Jose Dos Santos Silvino, managed to escape. Silvino was later arrested on October 8, along with Flaviano Teixiera-Costa, during a joint operation by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, the Guyana Police Force, and Iwokrama Rangers. The Centre emphasized that gold mining is strictly prohibited in the Iwokrama Forest, as outlined in the Iwokrama Act of 1996, and warned that such activities threaten ecological integrity, disrupt local livelihoods, and undermine protected area management systems. The Centre also released images of the environmental damage caused by the illegal mining, including piles of solid waste and cleared forest areas. Collaboration with various governmental agencies has been crucial in addressing these violations, and the Centre remains committed to combating such illegal activities.