Heavy-calibre weapons found in vehicle belonging to former prosecutor Mariaca in Sucre
Weapons, bulletproof vests and ammunition were found in a black Toyota assigned to former prosecutor Róger Mariaca. The Public Ministry will open a third criminal case against him.
Weapons and bulletproof vests in the official vehicle of former prosecutor Mariaca
During a routine inspection of the car park of the Office of the Attorney General in Sucre, agents found in an official vehicle for the exclusive use of former prosecutor Róger Mariaca two heavy-calibre weapons, ammunition, magazines, bulletproof vests, portable radios, tear gas, a mobile telephone and other objects. The Public Ministry announced the opening of a new criminal case for illegal possession of firearms, according to El Deber.
The vehicle involved is a black Toyota with licence plate 6470-SSE. During the search, a briefcase containing a pistol was also found, along with bags and bumbags. According to the operation data, some of the weapons were loaded at the time of discovery.
A third criminal case against Mariaca
This would be the third case opened against Mariaca. The former prosecutor has already been charged and is in preventive detention at Cantumarca prison in Potosí on two separate charges: one for drug trafficking and organised crime, and another for money laundering.
The discovery was detected by the police officer in charge of security at the Office of the Attorney General. Upon noticing the presence of weaponry which, according to initial checks, would not correspond to the standard equipment of an institutional vehicle, the officer immediately informed his superiors. The Police activated an operation with personnel from the Special Force to Combat Crime (Felcc), prosecutors, forensic experts and a notary public. The search was carried out in the presence of media outlets summoned by the Office of the Attorney General itself.
Attorney General describes the discovery as "irregular"
Attorney General José Armando Urioste described the discovery as "irregular" and confirmed that it constitutes a new fact that must be investigated criminally. "There is possession and use of weaponry because it was ready to be used," Urioste said, although he clarified that it will be the prosecutor assigned to the case who will determine the responsibilities and the crimes that apply.
Urioste also admitted being surprised by the magnitude of the items found: "He informed us that there was some irregular weaponry, but we did not know the scale of it," he said in reference to the initial information he received from the officer in charge of the inspection. The Attorney General stressed that this would be an ordinary crime and not an act committed in the exercise of duties, so no privileges would apply.
The official emphasised that an official vehicle of the Office of the Attorney General cannot be allowed to transport weaponry outside the standard equipment of police officers assigned to security tasks. "Weaponry of that type is irregular," he stated.
Review of all institutional vehicles
In light of the discovery, Urioste ordered a review of all vehicles at the Office of the Attorney General. The institution has more than a dozen vehicles for different purposes, including those used by prosecutors for travel to the provinces and others assigned to different units. "We are going to open all the vehicles because it has already generated distrust in us," the Attorney General said.
The official even raised the possibility that there may be other dangerous items in other vehicles and instructed that inspections be carried out with greater rigour.
Urioste noted that the discovery adds to other elements being investigated following the crisis the Public Ministry is experiencing. "Each day it is surprising us with more illegal situations," he declared. In his view, the new discoveries could reveal a situation of greater scope, although he clarified that investigations will need to establish whether there is a criminal structure and who its members would be.
Regarding former Attorney General Juan Lanchipa, Urioste noted that for the time being he does not see a concrete reason linking him to this matter, although he left open the possibility of investigating any situation that warrants a criminal investigation.
Source: El Deber