Failed 'Heist of the Century' Plot Leads to Prison Sentences for Tunnel Crew

A meticulously planned attempt to execute what the Interior Ministry termed a potential "heist of the century" has concluded with prison sentences for seven individuals. The plot involved digging a tunnel beneath Montevideo's historic Ciudad Vieja district to reach a bank vault.

Justice imposed sentences ranging from six to 12 months in prison on five Brazilian nationals, one Paraguayan, and one Uruguayan. These individuals either directly or indirectly participated in the elaborate scheme. The resolution came through an expedited legal process, with the involved parties acknowledging the facts and pleading guilty to charges of criminal association and attempted aggravated theft.

Most of the convicted individuals received a 12-month sentence, while the Uruguayan woman received a shorter term of six months and 22 days, reflecting her lesser involvement. She had already completed her sentence by the time of the hearing. The group had been held in preventive detention since February, when police discovered the tunnel excavation and thwarted the heist before the criminals could access the financial institution.

Adding a significant dimension to the case, two of the convicted Brazilians were identified as members of the First Capital Command (PCC), one of Brazil's most formidable criminal organizations. This connection, confirmed through data exchange with Interpol and Brazilian intelligence, highlighted the transnational nature of the operation. The sophistication of the plan, the resources employed, and the necessary expertise pointed to a well-organized criminal enterprise.

Separate judicial proceedings are underway for a Uruguayan man and a Paraguayan woman who did not participate in the expedited process. The Uruguayan man reportedly refused to sign an agreement, while the Paraguayan woman's plea deal was deemed inadmissible after she initially agreed to cooperate but later recanted, claiming she only intended to work as a cook and was unaware of the bank robbery plan.