Missing federal police officer in Jujuy: mobile phone active in Bolivia and 15 raids yield no results
Maximiliano Martínez has been missing for nearly a week on the border between Jujuy and Bolivia. His mobile phone was activated in Villazón and 250 personnel are participating in search operations.
Federal agent with no trace: mobile phone activated in Bolivia and search with no progress
Six days after the disappearance of Maximiliano Oscar Martínez, an agent of the Argentine Federal Police sought in the border area between Jujuy and Bolivia, the prosecutor in charge of the case confirmed to infobae.com a key piece of information: the mobile phone of the officer was activated Thursday night in Villazón, a Bolivian town located opposite La Quiaca.
Alberto Omar Mendívil, head of the Preparatory Criminal Investigation Office No. 11 of La Quiaca, specified that the telephone had remained off during the first two days and that that night "pinged in Villazón". Martínez, who turns 31 this Monday, has been missing for nearly a week.
The prosecutor also detailed the scope of security footage analysed by investigators: a camera captured the agent heading along a road "that takes you to Bolivia", although there is no audiovisual record of any possible crossing of the border.
Fifteen raids and 250 personnel in search operations
On Friday night, 15 raids were conducted on nightclubs and private residences in Villazón, with results that did not allow him to be located. The following day, some 250 personnel from both countries participated in search operations around the Puente Internacional Horacio Guzmán.
The search involves the Jujuy Police, the Argentine Federal Police, National Gendarmerie and the Bolivia Police. The teams continue with search operations in the rivers and with drone flights in the border area. The La Quiaca Prosecution Office and the Investigation Brigade are working together with Bolivian prosecutors and police to "exchange information and coordinate actions".
During the operations, a body was found in Bolivian territory, but it was confirmed that it did not correspond to Martínez. It was a man of Bolivian nationality, so the authorities of that country intervened. In addition, a yellow alert from Interpol is in force to expand the search through international cooperation channels.
All hypotheses remain open
Regarding the lines of investigation, Mendívil stated that "all remain open", although he avoided giving details so as not to "hinder the case". According to what infobae.com was able to learn, Martínez used to be absent for a few hours, but had never remained absent for so long without returning.
The agent was last seen on Tuesday 8 September, just after 10 a.m., when he left his house on a bicycle. His family members indicated that he said he was going to Villazón to go shopping and would be back shortly. Having no news of him, they filed a complaint with the provincial police on Thursday 10, at which point search protocols were activated.
His sisters appeal for help on social media
As operations advance, Martínez's sisters reiterated on social media their calls for help to find him. "Share, pray for my brother and light candles", wrote Sami Martínez on her Facebook account. Another of his sisters posted: "Please, let us continue searching for my brother. Let us not stop sharing and let this not be forgotten", and added: "We continue searching for you and waiting, all those who love you, Maxi".
They also spread a prayer chain: "Light candles and keep my little brother in your prayers so he returns home safe and sound".
Martínez is 1.67 metres tall, has olive skin and short black hair. The last time he was seen he was wearing black sports trousers and grey Adidas trainers. Anyone with information about his whereabouts can call 911, telephone numbers 388-6860239 and 388-6828607, or go to the nearest police station.
Source: Google News AR — Crime