Drug gang dismantled: 7 arrested and almost 200 kg of cocaine seized in Salta
The ASP dismantled a narcocriminal organisation that transported cocaine from Salta to Buenos Aires, resulting in 7 arrests and the seizure of almost 200 kilos.
Operation in Salta: ASP dismantles drug network with 191 kilos of cocaine and seven firearms
According to argentina.gob.ar, the Airport Security Police (ASP) dismantled a narcocriminal gang operating in the north of the country that was transporting cocaine to Buenos Aires, resulting in seven arrests and the seizure of 191.737 grammes of cocaine hydrochloride.
The investigation began in February of this year following a judicial order that required investigation into the organisation to be deepened. Over five months, investigators analysed mobile phones and documentation, carried out telephone interceptions, intelligence work, surveillance and tracking operations that enabled them to identify members of the structure and determine the roles of each individual within the network.
With that information, the ASP acted alongside officers from the Complex Investigation Divisions against Narcocriminality (DICON) of the Salta Police in a series of simultaneous operations. Two vans used by the organisation for drug transportation were tracked via security cameras and GPS devices.
One of the vehicles was intercepted at the "Cabeza de Buey" toll booth in Salta province. On board were two women and a minor; following a search, officers found several packages of cocaine concealed inside. The second van, which carried out support and surveillance functions—referred to as a "point"—was stopped in the locality of Metán. The main suspect in the organisation was in that vehicle and was arrested at the scene.
Simultaneously, police forces carried out ten raids on various properties, where further arrests were made and material linked to the case was seized.
The overall result of the operations included, in addition to the 191.737 grammes of cocaine, seven firearms—four pistols, two rifles and one carbine—117 ammunition rounds and cartridges of various calibres, 6,257 United States dollars, 8,337,150 pesos, five vehicles, 26 mobile phones, six SIM cards, two notebooks, two data storage devices, two banknote counting machines and items used for the fractionalisation of narcotics.
The seven detainees and all seized material were placed at the disposal of the Federal Fiscal Unit of Salta, headed by prosecutor Eduardo Villalba, who is involved in the investigation.
Source: Google News AR — Buenos Aires