Drugs found in cells at former Tacumbú prison

Authorities discovered doses of cocaine, crack, and marijuana during a police operation at the National Center for Preventive Detention, the former Tacumbú National Penitentiary. The seizure occurred around 5 p.m. on Monday, as reported by Metropolitan Police Station No. 4.

According to the official report, the substances were found in cells within the new pavilion occupied by three inmates. Police seized 10 doses of suspected cocaine, weighing 0.9 grams, three doses of suspected crack, weighing 0.5 grams, and a bag of marijuana weighing 0.8 grams.

The inmates involved were identified as Enrique Antonio Barreto, with prior convictions for aggravated theft; Pablo Ariel Dávalos Vargas, also with records for the same offense; and Rafael Enrique Espinel Niebles, a 35-year-old Colombian national with a prior conviction for intentional homicide.

The seized substances underwent preliminary field analysis by the National Police's Anti-Narcotics Department. Following this verification, the findings were communicated to the Public Prosecutor's Office, specifically the Specialized Unit for the Fight Against Narcotrafficking, which will now lead the investigation to determine responsibilities and how the drugs entered the facility.