Alleged fugitive drug trafficker captured in Entre Ríos countryside after 60 days of searching
Esteban Siebenlist Bustos was detained at the "Doña Inés" property on Route 127, linked to a shipment of 1,300 kg of marijuana.
Drug trafficker fugitive captured in Hasenkamp countryside after two months of investigation
Officers of the Entre Ríos Police detained Esteban Siebenlist Bustos, known as "oreja", on Saturday 31 October, who had been hiding at the rural property "Doña Inés" on National Route No. 127, in Hasenkamp, Paraná department. According to elentrerios.com, the capture was completed after approximately 60 days of investigative work.
Bustos had an active arrest warrant and was directly linked to a case opened in February of this year, following the seizure of approximately 1,300 kilogrammes of marijuana transported in a Renault Jumper van in the city of La Paz. In that same case, Entre Ríos Police Commissioner and lawyer Daniel Rosatelli is being held, which demonstrates the complexity of the investigated organisation.
When police forces entered the property, Bustos detected their presence and attempted to escape. The swift reaction of officers thwarted the flight and enabled his arrest at the scene.
During the search, no narcotic substances were found, but items of relevance to the investigation were seized: a Toyota Corolla motor vehicle with alterations to the chassis and engine identification numbers—later identified as stolen in Rosario, Santa Fe—a vehicle identification card, a rifle and 19 unfired .22 calibre cartridges, six mobile telephones, approximately two million Argentine pesos, more than 240 United States dollars, 60,000 guaraníes and a smaller sum in Brazilian reals.
Five other individuals were identified at the location. Bustos was detained and held incommunicado by order of the Federal Court of Paraná No. 1, in charge of judge Leandro Ríos. The operation was supported by the Special Operations Company (C.O.E.) and was carried out by the Drug Trafficking Section of the Operations Division, dependent on the General Directorate of Dangerous Drugs, as part of an investigation for breach of the National Narcotics Law No. 23,737.
The lawyer Bustos had appointed for his defence, Buenos Aires resident López Vargas, did not appear, so representation was placed in the hands of the public defender's office of the Federal Court. The detention comes at a time when the defences of other defendants are awaiting the resolution of an appeal of proceedings scheduled for this Thursday, which will be handled in writing.
According to sources in criminal circles consulted by elentrerios.com, Bustos's alleged rise within the drug trafficking organisation is noteworthy, given that he has always worked in motorcycle repair. His asset growth also raises questions: from having no declared assets he came to be listed as an entrepreneur in the agricultural sector.
In addition to Rosatelli, those processed with preventive detention and charged as co-perpetrators of the aggravated crime of transporting narcotics are: César Leonel Ramírez, detained at the scene of the operation; Martín Pelizzari, accused of having purchased the van used for the transport; Claudio David Luna, identified as a supposed participant in negotiations over the vehicle; and Alan Josías Gabriel Favieri and José Belén Favieri, indicated for having accompanied Ramírez during the transport of the shipment.
The Federal Court continues to lead the case with the aim of determining criminal responsibilities and advancing in clarifying the drug trafficking network.
Source: Google News BO — La Paz