Police Deploy Operation in San Matías to Find "El Grillo," Alleged Criminal Leader

Bolivian police have intensified operations in the border municipality of San Matías, Santa Cruz, conducting searches and checkpoints as part of an investigation into recent violence. The operation focuses on locating Adán Licer Olivera Barbery, known as "El Grillo," whom authorities identify as the alleged head of a criminal organization. Police also hold him responsible for an armed ambush that killed Sub-Lieutenant Yerson Salazar and injured other officers.

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The interventions were executed by members of special units, in coordination with representatives of the Public Ministry.

The extensive police presence, involving special unit officers and public ministry representatives, includes searches of properties linked to businessman Douglas Queiroz, who was murdered two months prior. Authorities are scrutinizing both residents and foreign nationals in their search for "El Grillo."

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The Police have deployed a broad operation in the border municipality of San Matías, in the department of Santa Cruz, with searches and controls in different sectors as part of the investigations for the wave of violence that left an officer deceased, Sub-lieutenant Yerson Salazar, and several armed incidents registered in recent days.

Despite the significant police deployment, some residents expressed frustration. They noted that such operations occur frequently without yielding visible results in combating organized crime. Additionally, journalists reported being restricted from accessing the areas where the interventions were taking place, raising concerns about transparency.

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this type of operations are carried out frequently, but without visible results in the fight against organized crime.

As of the latest reports, police had not announced any arrests or the outcomes of the property searches. Operations were ongoing in various parts of the border municipality, indicating a continued effort to apprehend the suspect and dismantle the alleged criminal network.

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the officers prevented journalists from approaching the intervened areas.