Nearly 500 Kilos of Cocaine Seized in Major Paraná River Operation; Five Arrested

The Argentine Naval Prefecture has seized nearly 500 kilograms of cocaine in a significant operation on the Paraná River near San Nicolás, Buenos Aires. The bust also led to the arrest of five individuals during coordinated raids across the province.

The operation, overseen by the Federal Court of Guarantees of Bahía Blanca, targeted a transnational criminal organization. Investigators believe this group is connected to a prior incident on January 2, where 34 kilograms of cocaine were found in a waterproof bag in Monte Hermoso's Ecological Reserve.

Intelligence suggests the organization operated primarily between Rosario, Ramallo, San Nicolás, Capitán Bermúdez, and Granadero Baigorria. They allegedly used speedboats to transfer drug packages to merchant vessels at sea. During a surveillance operation in Ramallo, authorities intercepted a tracker-type boat with three occupants. This vessel was seen loading packages from a Ford Ranger pickup truck before heading towards a larger ship near kilometer 351 of the Paraná River.

Naval Prefecture officers intercepted the boat, securing the individuals and the cargo. Judicial orders led to the seizure of seven bags containing 210 cocaine blocks, weighing 232 kilograms. A Ford Ranger, a speedboat with an outboard motor and trailer, five cell phones, and a satellite GPS device were also confiscated. Four men were arrested at this stage.

Following the river operation, five raids were conducted at residences in Buenos Aires province, including Ramallo, La Reja, and Bernal Oeste. These raids resulted in the arrest of a fifth man and the seizure of an additional 267 kilograms of cocaine (in 240 blocks), marijuana, empty waterproof bags matching those used for the cocaine, and various electronic devices and vehicles. The investigation continues.