Civil Police of Rio Grande do Sul launch Operation Lama de Ouro

The Civil Police of Rio Grande do Sul launched Operation Lama de Ouro this Thursday (16), which investigates a scheme of diversion and adulteration of fertilizers within the Yara Fertilizandos unit, located in the Industrial District of Rio Grande (RS).

Operation Lama de Ouro investigates an internal scheme that would have caused losses of up to R$20 million to the company; product was removed from the unit and adulterated before being resold.

The action resulted in the arrest of two company employees, identified as members of a group that had used internal access to the facilities to remove loads of fertilizers of high commercial value and resell them irregularly.

According to investigations, the scheme could have caused an estimated loss of up to R$20 million to the company.

The suspects would have taken advantage of the relationship of trust and knowledge of the unit’s internal operations to carry out diversions, especially during the night.

Fertilizer was adulterated with industrial waste

According to the police investigation, the group removed pure fertilizer from the company, valued at approximately R$4,000 per ton, and adulterated it with a material known as “sweeping clay”, an industrial waste with low commercial value, estimated at around R$80 per ton.

After mixing, the product was placed back on the market as if it were conventional fertilizer, generating illegal profits for those involved and losses for the company.

The investigations began at the beginning of the year, after anonymous complaints indicated suspicious movement of trucks in the vicinity of the unit.

Company claims to be a victim and cooperates with investigation

In an official statement, Yara Fertilizers reported that it confirmed the police operation involving employees from the Rio Grande unit and highlighted that it is a victim of the illicit acts being investigated.

The company also stated that it is fully cooperating with the authorities, but that it will not disclose additional information at this time due to the confidentiality of the police investigation.

Those investigated must initially respond for crimes such as qualified theft and criminal organization.

The Civil Police continues efforts to identify other parties involved and possible recipients of the adulterated fertilizer.

Impact on the fertilizer chain

The case draws attention to the challenges of operational security, inventory control and traceability in industrial units linked to the fertilizer sector, a strategic segment for Brazilian agribusiness and port logistics movement.

The Yara unit in Rio Grande is located in a strategic region for the receipt, processing and distribution of agricultural inputs, connecting industrial operations, road transport and the agribusiness supply chain.