PF carries out operation to investigate invasions and attacks on rural properties in MS

Called Operation Poké’Exa, the action serves six temporary arrest warrants and seven search and seizure warrants in Sidrolândia and Dois Irmãos do Buriti. The warrants were issued by the 3rd Federal Court of Campo Grande.

The operation mobilizes around 75 federal police officers and agents from the National Public Security Force, with the participation of the Federal Public Ministry (MPF). The teams are also carrying out investigations at a rural property related to the case.

According to the PF, investigators are investigating a possible coordinated invasion of rural properties. During the action, employees and family members were allegedly detained under threats and prevented from leaving the premises.

Suspicions of theft of vehicles and agricultural machinery, fires and destruction of houses and other structures are also being investigated.

In June of this year, the Military Police removed indigenous people who occupied two rural properties in Sidrolândia: the Água Clara and São Sebastião farms.

At the time, the police reported that there were fires in homes, theft of agricultural inputs and damage to machinery. Images released by the corporation showed houses destroyed by fire at Fazenda São Sebastião. Trees were also cut down and used as barricades to make it difficult for police teams to enter.

The Agriculture and Livestock Federation of Mato Grosso do Sul (Famasul) repudiated the episode and demanded the identification and accountability of those involved. In a statement, the entity stated that the São Sebastião property was invaded and vandalized and reported damage to the farm's structure, in addition to the theft of animals, machinery and agricultural inputs.

After the action, forensic teams were sent to the properties to survey the damage. The case was initially referred to the Civil Police and was later investigated by the Federal Police.

The case began to be investigated by the Specialized Police Station for Combating Rural Crimes and Abigeato (Deleagro), of the Civil Police of Mato Grosso do Sul. Subsequently, the investigation was forwarded to the Federal Police, after the Federal Court recognized that the case should be investigated at the federal level.

According to the Federal Police, the operation seeks to gather evidence and identify the participation of each suspect in the crimes being investigated.

The corporation emphasizes that the criminal investigation is independent of the discussion about who has the right to the area and the territorial issue involving the region.