The suspect was arrested on Wednesday and remains in custody, authorities said. Materials collected from the boat have been sent to the Amazon state capital for a forensic examination.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Amazonas secretary-general of state security Carlos Alberto Manzur said the man was arrested after he was found in possession of “lots of drugs” and ammunition used for illegal hunting.
Police also questioned five other people in connection with the couple’s disappearance, he said.
Authorities said on Wednesday they were pursuing multiple lines of investigation, including the murder, and added that they still “can’t rule anything out.”
‘Slow response’
“This is a very slow response and it means something ominous to the world in the information coming out of the Amazon.”
Brazilian authorities said on Wednesday that a total of 250 people, two helicopters, three drones and 16 boats were involved in the search and rescue operation.
In a tweet Thursday, President Bolsonaro confirmed that the search was ongoing.
“Our three forces [Army, Navy, and Air Force]as well as our Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federal Police, among others, have been working intensively since Monday (6th) to find Bruno Pereira and Dom Phillips,” Bolsonaro said.
“We want to decide [the case] and bring comfort to families,
Marcia Reverdosa of CNN contributed to the story.
