Robberies and thefts of agricultural inputs reduce in Mato Grosso

Crime rates of robberies and thefts of agricultural inputs showed a reduction in Mato Grosso in the first nine months of 2024, compared to the same period last year.

According to data from the Public Security Observatory, from January to September 2023, 22 robberies were recorded in the state, while this year, the number fell to 10, a reduction of 55%.

Regarding thefts, there were 40 occurrences in the first nine months of 2023, compared to 25 in the same period in 2024, which represents a drop of 38%.

Of the total agricultural inputs stolen and robbed this year, 57% correspond to agricultural pesticides, 40% to fertilizers, and 3% were not specified.

The drop in crime rates reflects the State Government's investments in Public Security, enabling the intensification of the Military Police's ostensive and preventive policing, in addition to the investigations carried out by the Civil Judicial Police.

The Secretary of Public Security, Colonel César Roveri, highlights the importance of integrated work between police forces. “The Rural Patrol operates in an overt manner, covering rural areas and maintaining proximity to residents. Combined with the investigative work of the Civil Police, we are providing the population with the necessary response, investigating all crimes and arresting criminals involved in robberies and thefts of agricultural inputs,” he states.

Preventive actions and investigation 

In Mato Grosso, the Rural Patrol is present in all municipalities and has specialized reinforcement. In 2023 alone, the Rural Patrol received around R$18 million in investments in vehicles, uniforms, weapons and ammunition, and began using georeferencing to monitor rural areas.

In 2023, the Patrol's military police officers inspected around 240 properties and traveled around 620 kilometers throughout the rural territory of Mato Grosso. As part of its services, the Rural Patrol also coordinates preventive work with visits, guidance and registration for georeferencing, promoting greater proximity between the police forces and the rural population.

The investigations by the Civil Police resulted in the arrest of several people involved and the dismantling of criminal organizations specialized in robberies and thefts of agricultural inputs. In September of this year, a farmer was identified as a financier and collaborator of a criminal group. He was the target of Operation Cerco Verde, by the Department for Combating Organized Crime (GCCO). During the operation, the courts issued arrest warrants, search and seizure warrants, as well as seizure of assets and freezing of funds totaling more than R$1,7 million.

Members of the criminal organization that was involved in the theft of agricultural pesticides from rural properties in various regions of Mato Grosso were arrested in another phase of the operation, launched in August of this year.