Buenos Aires Police Officers Arrested for Running Bribe Scheme

A group of eight Buenos Aires provincial police officers has been dismantled for allegedly operating a sophisticated extortion ring. Instead of patrolling routes, these officers reportedly set up an illicit operation to collect substantial bribes from transporters and motorists traveling along the northern corridor of Buenos Aires.

The scheme was so well-organized that if victims lacked cash, the officers would accept payments through bank transfers to a virtual alias, "pelado.258," linked to a savings account belonging to one of the accused officers. This operation allegedly ran from January 2024 to November 2025.

“

$27.000.000

Following a year-long investigation by a prosecutor from the Pergamino Judicial Department, a deputy commissioner and seven other officers were arrested. They are accused of forming an illicit association involved in illegal exactions, extortion, and dereliction of public duty. The investigation reportedly uncovered evidence that the officers fabricated infractions to demand money from drivers on Route 8, near Colón.

These fabricated offenses included alleged issues with Senasa permits for transporting goods, missing vehicle registration documents, or possession of small amounts of drugs. Prosecutor Magdalena Brandt requested the arrest warrants after reviewing the evidence. The investigation began with a complaint from a truck driver who was allegedly extorted for $27 million pesos to avoid having his cargo seized over a supposed "estibaje" (loading) fault. The driver ultimately paid $2 million pesos.

“

$2.000.000