"No One Claimed the Gold": 189 Kilos Seized in Bolivia Remain Ownerless

Authorities in Bolivia are continuing their investigation into nearly 190 kilograms of gold seized at Viru Viru International Airport, as no one has come forward to claim the valuable mineral. The discovery was made over a week ago when the gold, packed in four suitcases and reportedly bound for Dubai, was intercepted.

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No one has come forward claiming ownership of this seized mineral, the gold. Different actions have been filed, but none of them related to the claim or a petition requesting the return of the seized mineral.

Jhonny Coca, director of the Special Force to Combat Crime (Felcc), stated that despite the passage of time, no individual or entity has presented a claim or request for the return of the seized gold. While various legal actions have been filed, none relate to reclaiming the confiscated mineral. Coca confirmed that investigations are ongoing, including the issuance of summons and searches, to clarify the gold's origin and intended destination.

The Felcc is planning further operations, not limited to Santa Cruz, to definitively establish the circumstances surrounding the gold shipment. Coca mentioned that documentation suggests the gold might belong to a company legally registered in Bolivia. Consequently, individuals listed as company owners have been summoned, and requests have been made to financial institutions, Naabol (the airport authority), and customs.

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We will continue with operations, not only in the city of Santa Cruz, to definitively clarify the genesis, the development, and later, let's say, the pursuit of the act that is being investigated.

The gold, consisting of 77 ingots totaling 189.42 kilograms and valued at millions of dollars, remains under police protection. The Central Bank will be involved in its transfer as ordered by a judge. The investigation began after airport personnel noted discrepancies in documents related to the export, purportedly from the National Service for Registration and Control of Mineral and Metal Commercialization (Senarecom). Senarecom later reported no record authorizing the export, prompting the intervention of authorities. A 22-year-old man found carrying the suitcases has been placed in preventive detention.

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What we have in documents is that it would be a company that is legally registered in our country. However, the corresponding summons have been issued to the persons who appear as owners of this company. Requirements have also been generated for the financial entities, the entities that have participated, such as Naabol and Customs.