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Sand trafficking in Latin America
Criminal mafias are making massive profits from the illegal extraction and sale of sand for construction purposes.
Source: Luis Fernando Ramadon, with images from Google EarthMost illegally mined sand is used in the construction sector for materials like concrete and bricks as well as for foundation bedding. In addition to filling the coffers of sometimes violent criminal groups, illegal sand extraction has caused environmental damage like wildlife extinctions, changes in waterways, and increased flooding. Featured Image: A miner salvages what he can of equipment destroyed by police in La Pampa in the Madre de Dios region of Peru, Friday, May 16, 2014. Credit: AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd.
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