Bolivian ex-judge released from prison for house arrest in drug case

Former judge Hebert Zeballos Domínguez, facing charges linked to drug trafficking in the 'narcomaletas' case, has been released from Palmasola prison. A court order on Tuesday mandated his immediate transfer to house arrest, allowing him to continue legal proceedings under substitute measures.

The resolution was issued by Judge Rosario Ximena Flores Paniagua of Santa Cruz, who instructed the governor of the Palmasola penitentiary to release the former magistrate if no other arrest warrants were active. Prison authorities confirmed Zeballos departed the facility after 4:10 PM, complying with a higher court's decision that revoked his preventive detention and imposed alternative measures.

The public prosecutor's office is pursuing the case against Zeballos, former deputy Laura Rojas, and others for alleged involvement in drug trafficking, criminal association, and conspiracy under Law 1008. This judicial decision follows a July 24 hearing where a tribunal granted Zeballos house arrest during an appeal. Other defendants, including former judicial officials Carlos Diego Numberg Shirasawa and Vicki Ríos Ovando, also sought substitute measures, while Rojas had previously obtained house arrest in a separate illicit gains case.

Zeballos was initially arrested on January 23 after investigations linked him to the 'narcomaletas' case, following a raid on a security company associated with him where marijuana was reportedly found. Two days later, he was ordered into preventive detention at Palmasola, where he remained during the investigation into alleged drug trafficking, criminal organization, and illicit gains.