the strikes were part of a multi-pronged strategy - according to ernesto raez-luna - a former adviser to peru's ministry of the environment. >> this strategy involved - police operations - and prosecution of the worst offenders and it involved financial intelligence to connect the dots and follow the money and see who are the big bosses. >> the crackdown led to violent clashes between miners and police. it didn't stop illegal mining. they sent in the military thousands of police - what impact did that have? >> it's been a very temporary, fleeting impact. it's so profitable that you can lose half a million dollars in machinery and 2 weeks later you are back in business. it's that profitable. >> the strategy also included a process of legalizing some mining operations outside of protected areas . but only if miners can prove they have proper permits and a plan to deal with the environmental impact. >> it is impossible for many of them and that's the other part. if people are never going to be able to be formal, you better tell them and start dealing with it. >> techknow also visited per