Interpol Detains Sports Official in Encarnación for Argentine Drug Trafficking Case

Interpol has arrested a 64-year-old sports official in Encarnación, Paraguay, following a red notice issued by Argentine authorities. The man, identified as Francisco Javier Hermosa Núñez, also known as "Kiko," is wanted by the Argentine justice system for alleged involvement in drug trafficking.

The arrest occurred Tuesday night in Encarnación's downtown area, near Hermosa Núñez's residence. He was taken into custody by agents from Interpol's Itapúa Regional Office. The red notice and subsequent arrest are in connection with an alleged attempt to smuggle narcotics into Argentina.

Argentine authorities are seeking Hermosa Núñez's extradition to face charges related to the attempted importation of narcotics. The case reportedly stems from an incident on December 7, 2025, when he was stopped at a routine checkpoint on the San Roque González de Santa Cruz International Bridge while attempting to enter Posadas, Argentina. He was traveling with a companion, Luciene Fernández de Medeiros Sousa, who was found with a backpack containing 1.062 kilograms of cocaine.

According to reports, Hermosa Núñez fled the scene when customs officials discovered the drugs. He is being investigated for aggravated smuggling of narcotics, with the intent of commercialization. Hermosa Núñez previously served as the president of the Encarnación Volleyball Federation.