Missing federal police officer in Jujuy: his mobile phone detected in Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Sergeant Maximiliano Martínez has been missing for a week from La Quiaca. His telephone was activated in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, more than 800 km from the border.
New evidence places Sergeant Martínez's mobile phone 800 km from the border
A week after the disappearance of Maximiliano Martínez (30), first sergeant of the Argentine Federal Police stationed in La Quiaca, the investigation has recorded a significant lead: the officer's mobile phone was activated in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, the largest city in eastern Bolivia, more than 800 kilometres north of the border crossing where he was last seen. This was reported by clarin.com, citing sources from the investigation also consulted by the newspaper El Tribuno.
The trail from La Quiaca to Bolivia
The video from 8 September is, to date, the central piece of evidence in the case: it shows Martínez cycling towards the border crossing to Villazón, in Bolivia. His father stated that on that day the officer told him he was going to Villazón and would return "to buy some things". He never came back.
The search operation is concentrated in La Quiaca and Villazón, around the Horacio Guzmán International Bridge and the border river that Martínez was to cross. Police sources confirm that he crossed into Bolivian territory on a bicycle, but from that moment on there is no further record of his whereabouts on Argentine soil.
Earlier stops: Tupiza and an unrelated body
Provincial prosecutor Alberto Mendivil from La Quiaca reported on Monday that the sergeant's telephone had been activated on Friday 11 September in Tupiza, Bolivia, approximately 80 kilometres north of the border. "It was in the evening and it was only for a while, no more than a few minutes," Mendivil detailed.
As part of the search operations in Villazón, Bolivian forces carried out 15 raids and various search operations. One of these operations resulted in the discovery of the body of a 55-year-old man, with no connection to the case. Another body was found in a difficult-to-access area, "in the depths of a cliff" metres from Argentine territory, according to the prosecutor, but neither corresponded to Martínez.
250 officers deployed and Interpol active
The search involves the Federal Police, the National Gendarmerie and personnel from other jurisdictions, with a total of 250 officers deployed. On the Bolivian side, police forces, the Public Ministry of Villazón and rescue brigades are participating.
Martínez's name is also listed in an Interpol yellow notice, requested by the Public Prosecution Office of Jujuy.
Description of the missing officer
Martínez is approximately 1.67 metres tall, has olive skin and short dark hair. The latest available images show him wearing black sports trousers and grey Adidas trainers. At the time of his disappearance he was off duty.
Source: Google News BO — Crime