DistantNews
Support us
Drug Smuggling Ring Busted Near Paraguayan Prison; Over Two Kilos of Cocaine Seized
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Crime & Justice

Drug Smuggling Ring Busted Near Paraguayan Prison; Over Two Kilos of Cocaine Seized

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Paraguayan authorities seized over two kilograms of cocaine and base paste during an anti-drug operation in Pedro Juan Caballero.
  • Two suspects were arrested in a house located next to the regional prison, which is believed to have been used to smuggle drugs into the facility.
  • The operation targeted a drug trafficker who was escalating from micro-trafficking to larger-scale distribution.

An anti-drug operation in Pedro Juan Caballero, Paraguay, has uncovered a sophisticated drug distribution network operating from a property adjacent to the regional prison. Agents from the National Anti-Drug Secretariat (SENAD) raided a well-equipped house and seized more than two kilograms of cocaine and base paste, along with smaller amounts of marijuana.

Two Paraguayan nationals, Heriberto Ramón García Gauto, 42, and Alexis Chamorro Gómez, 28, were arrested during the raid. The SENAD believes the house's strategic location, directly bordering the Penitenciaría Regional de Pedro Juan Caballero, was instrumental in facilitating the smuggling of narcotics into the prison. "It's an important house, with good infrastructure and next to the penitentiary. We had information that drugs were being passed from there into the jail," stated SENAD Minister Jalil Rachid.

It's an important house, with good infrastructure and next to the penitentiary. We had information that drugs were being passed from there into the jail.

— Jalil RachidMinister of the National Anti-Drug Secretariat (SENAD), describing the location and suspected use of the raided property.

Minister Rachid explained that the operation targeted an individual involved in micro-trafficking who was transitioning to larger-scale operations. "Our goal was this apprehended person, someone who was engaged in micro-trafficking but was already moving to a larger scale. In fact, finding more than two kilos of cocaine and base paste in his possession far exceeds what is considered micro-trafficking," he added.

Following the arrests and seizures, the case has been handed over to the Public Ministry for further investigation. Authorities will analyze confiscated cell phones and verify the property's ownership. If the house is confirmed to belong to those involved, it may be confiscated and handed over to the Secretariat of Administration of Seized and Confiscated Assets (SENABICO). The operation represents a significant blow to drug trafficking activities in the region, particularly those aimed at supplying the prison population.

Our goal was this apprehended person, someone who was engaged in micro-trafficking but was already moving to a larger scale. In fact, finding more than two kilos of cocaine and base paste in his possession far exceeds what is considered micro-trafficking.

— Jalil RachidMinister of the National Anti-Drug Secretariat (SENAD), explaining the significance of the drug seizure and the target of the operation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog