Concordia businessman sentenced to nearly 7 years for leading drug-trafficking network
The Federal Court of Paraná convicted José Luis Machado to 6 years and 10 months for heading a cocaine-trafficking organisation in the Salto Grande region.
Concordia businessman convicted of heading drug-trafficking organisation
The Federal Criminal Oral Court of Paraná convicted José Luis Machado, a businessman from Concordia, to 6 years and 10 months of effective prison time. According to diarioriouruguay.com, the ruling holds him responsible for leading and financing an organisation dedicated to cocaine trafficking in Concordia and the Salto Grande region.
The verdict was announced on Monday 19 October. The Public Prosecution Service had requested a sentence of 7 years imprisonment, whilst the defence—comprised of lawyers Brenda Vittori and Pablo Moyano Ilundain—had requested the annulment of the proceedings and the acquittal of their client. The court, composed of judges Noemí Berro, Emilce Rojas and Sebastián Gallino, will read the grounds for the sentence on Monday 26 October.
Machado had been detained in 2024 as a result of an investigation conducted by the Dangerous Drugs Division of Federación, under the command of commissioner Néstor Garzón. The investigation led to raids in Federación, Concordia, Chajarí and San Jaime de la Frontera, which made it possible to dismantle the organisation at the end of that year.
According to the accusation, Machado—owner of sawmills and a pallet factory—acquired narcotics from suppliers linked to Ciudad del Este and coordinated distribution in the region through third parties. He was convicted of aggravated drug trafficking by the involvement of three or more persons.
In the same case, Brian Sosa received a sentence of 3 years of effective prison time for his secondary participation in drug trafficking.
Source: Google News UY — Crime