Argentina: Two arrested with 260 kilos of cocaine after fleeing police in Mercedes Benz

A routine police checkpoint in Entre Ríos, Argentina, led to the discovery of 260 kilograms of cocaine and the arrest of two men attempting to evade authorities. The incident unfolded on May 29 when officers at the Puerta de Hierro post stopped a Mercedes Benz C200 Avantgarde.

During the inspection, the driver, Carlos Fiordelino, 53, feigned a technical issue with the trunk to re-enter the vehicle. He then sped off, initiating a pursuit. Police implemented a roadblock, intercepting the Mercedes Benz on a gravel road. During the escape attempt, Fiordelino and his passenger, Benjamín Maciel, discarded backpacks containing the cocaine, a firearm, and cell phones.

Federal Judge Analía Ramponi has since processed Fiordelino and Maciel, imposing pre-trial detention and freezing their assets up to 100 million pesos. Fiordelino faces additional charges for disobeying authority. The judge noted Fiordelino's evasion of the checkpoint and continued flight despite police commands as evidence of his intent to escape.

One officer involved in the operation testified to Fiordelino's inconsistent explanations regarding the vehicle's trunk and his visibly nervous demeanor. The discovery and subsequent arrests highlight ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking in the region.

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I noticed various inconsistencies in the driver's explanations regarding the impossibility of exhibiting the trunk and other parts of the vehicle. He also indicated that, upon observing the presence of black backpacks in the back seat, the driver adopted a visibly nervous attitude, questioned the police procedure and, abruptly, got back into the car and started to flee.