Bolivia questions Chilean prosecutor's drug-laced wood estimate

Bolivia's Interior Minister, Marco Antonio Oviedo, has publicly challenged the findings of Chilean authorities regarding the seizure of alleged drug-laced wood. Appearing before the Legislative Assembly, Oviedo questioned the Arica prosecutor's estimate that over 100 tons of illicit substances were impregnated in Bolivian timber confiscated at a Chilean port.

Oviedo asserted that Bolivia has not yet received any samples from the Chilean investigation, casting doubt on the accuracy of the claims. He also highlighted the negative impact these accusations have had on Bolivia's vital forestry sector. The minister criticized the Chilean prosecutor's statement as irresponsible and lacking scientific basis, particularly the projection of drug quantities within the wood.

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Until today, the presence and form of impregnation of controlled substances in the wood shipments seized in the neighboring country of Chile have not been scientifically proven.

During his address, Oviedo detailed Bolivia's efforts to obtain information, including requests made to Chilean law enforcement agencies like OS7 of Carabineros and the Maritime Police. He noted that the Chilean authorities cited ongoing investigations and the need for inter-prosecutorial exchange for information sharing.

Bolivia has also sought international cooperation, requesting verification missions involving European organizations, the United Nations, and the DEA. Minister Oviedo stressed the importance of international collaboration in combating transnational organized crime, while firmly rejecting the Chilean prosecutor's unsubstantiated claims about the volume of drugs allegedly originating from Bolivia.

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To say cheerfully, by a prosecutor from Arica, Chile, irresponsibly, that 108 tons of drugs left Bolivia does not enter anyone's head.