Paraguay arrests former secretary to Sebastián Marset in Itacurubí operation

Paraguayan authorities have arrested a former secretary of Uruguayan drug trafficker Sebastián Marset during an operation in Itacurubí de la Cordillera.

The man, identified as 38-year-old Dionisio Manuel Cáceres Cabrera, known as Manu, was found Sunday morning in a house in his hometown, according to the Paraguayan newspaper ABC Color. Agents from the Department of Anti-Narcotics carried out the operation, known as Nexus II.

Cáceres had been wanted since February over his alleged connection to Marset. He previously served as sports manager of Rubio Ñu and is accused of helping Marset establish links in football. Investigators also allege that he managed sporting activities using money connected to Marset and helped facilitate Marset's arrival at Deportivo Capiatá.

The case examines people who allegedly formed part of the network Marset built in Paraguay. Authorities began Operation Nexus II on Feb. 17, 2026, to investigate his former organization and suspected efforts by members to reactivate routes previously used to traffic cocaine.

Another person detained in the same case is Víctor Centurión, a former goalkeeper for Olimpia and the Paraguay national team. Marset is described in the article as a central figure in a drug-trafficking structure that operated in Paraguay. He is detained in the United States after being captured in Bolivia on March 13. The Paraguayan operation is focused on people linked to his former organization in the country.