The suspect was arrested Wednesday and remains in custody, authorities said. Materials collected from the boat have been sent to the Amazonas state capital for forensic analysis.
In a news conference Wednesday, Amazonas state security Secretary-General Carlos Alberto Mansur said the man was arrested after being found in possession of “a lot of drugs” and ammunition used for illegal hunting.
Police have also questioned five other people in connection to the missing pair, he said.
Authorities said Wednesday they were pursuing several lines of investigation, including homicide, and added they still “can’t rule out anything.”
‘Slow response’
“It’s a very slow response and it signifies something sinister to the world about information coming out of the Amazon.”
Brazilian authorities said Wednesday that a total of 250 men, two helicopters, three drones and 16 boats have been deployed for the search and rescue operation.
In a tweet Thursday, President Bolsanaro confirmed the search was ongoing.
“Our three forces [Army, Navy, and Air Force], as well as our Ministry of Foreign Relations, the Federal Police, among others, have been working intensely since Monday (6th) in the search for Bruno Pereira and Dom Phillips,” Bolsonaro said.
“We want to solve [the case] and bring comfort to the families,”
CNN’s Marcia Reverdosa contributed reporting.
