The Federal Prosecutor’s Office (MPF) investigates the smuggling of at least 70 fossils taken from Chapada do Araripe, paleontological site in Ceará, and sold illegally abroad, where they are announced on sites specializing in the sale of rocks and plants and fossilized animals.
Of these items, 25 were repatriated last Wednesday (2), after the British authorities were aware that reports found the presence of Cariri stone in fossils-typical of the Crato formation, present in the municipalities of Santana do Cariri and Nova Olinda, both in Ceará. The archaeological site houses fossils of the Cretaceous period, 145 million to 66 million years ago .
The repatriated fossils were being announced on the Fossil Realm website and were reported by the paleontologist Beatriz Hormanseder. In an interview with CNN the scientist says that when researching the items on the internet, recognized the pieces. “On the British website, the announcement already said that the fossils were Brazilian, from the Araripe Basin. Which in itself, it was already a great reason for the complaint,” he said.
The technical report of the Placido Cidade Clouds Platoology Museum, which is in Santana do Cariri (CE), that the CNN He had access, confirms that the repatriad is being announced on the British website.
This Monday (7), the same site continues announcing Seven insect fossils like cockroaches and grasshoppers from Chapada do Araripe, for up to US $ 100 . Another eight of the same Brazilian formation are still sold as sold. THE CNN contacted the portal and the questioning about the origin of the fossils was not answered.
The paleontologist states that she has found eleven other sites with similar ads. In an interview with CNN the prosecutor Rafael Ribeiro Rayol, did not know how many portals are targets of the investigations, but stressed that two cases are already in process with the France Justice.
Among the fossils in France is an Anhanguera pterosaur skeleton with almost 4 meters of wingspan and other fossils, which include sea turtles, arachnids, fish, reptiles, insects and plants, some with millions of years.
The folder states that the collection is valued at almost 600 thousand euros (about R $ 4 million) – given the rarity, scientific interest and the quality of preservation.
Brazilian historical value
Since 2022, The MPF repatrized more than a thousand fossils of animals and plants, extracted from the region and taken irregularly to Europe. The material is invalidated to the science and history of the Brazilian territory.
“Araripe’s fossils are very important. By the amount, the chance of species not yet discovered or registered being marketed abroad is large, and can end up stopping at someone’s house, such as a table support, without ever having a chance to be studied,” says the paleontologist.
Trafficking and smuggling
Since the 1940s, Decree-Law 4.146/42 prohibits the extraction, marketing, transportation and export of this type of material without the prior and express authorization of the Brazilian government. Thus, any acquisition, transportation, marketing or custody of Brazilian fossils withdrawn without authorization is illegal.
By the Penal Code, import or export prohibited goods or deceive, the payment of right or tax due for entry, departure or consumption of goods is a crime of smuggling, with a penalty of one to four years imprisonment.
This content was originally published in MPF investigates smuggling of Brazilian fossils sold abroad on the CNN Brazil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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