Read the whole thing here and see some great photos, too: Here’s how it starts:
HUEPETUHE, PERU — In a surprise raid, about 1,500 police and troops dynamited $20 million worth of heavy machinery as Peru’s government throttled up a crackdown on illegal gold mining that has badly scarred the ecologically rich southeastern jungle region of Madre de Dios.The operation Monday was the first such action since a nationwide ban on illegal mining took effect April 19. Security forces accompanied by prosecutors blew up backhoes, generators and water pumps in the Huepetuhe district, a mining boomtown dating back to the 1980s that includes two entire streets of brothels and many more of machine shops.