Suitcase case: Saucedo pointed to as owner and Mariaca for cover-up at Viru Viru
Former deputy Laura Rojas and former judge Hebert Zeballos point to the president of the Supreme Court of Justice and the former general prosecutor in the entry of 32 suitcases containing marijuana.
Fresh declarations link Saucedo and Mariaca to the 32 Viru Viru suitcases
Former deputy Laura Rojas and former judge Hebert Zeballos introduced unprecedented evidence this week to the investigation into the entry of 32 suitcases from the United States, according to reporting by El Deber. The luggage allegedly contained marijuana produced in California, and both statements point to Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) president Rómer Saucedo and former general prosecutor Róger Mariaca as key figures in the case.
Rojas, under investigation in the so-called Suitcase case, expanded her statement before the Controlled Substances Prosecution this Thursday. Upon leaving the hearing, she identified Saucedo as the owner of the luggage and linked him to the alias "The German".
"The owner of the suitcases was Rómer Saucedo Gómez, alias The German, who went into hiding", affirmed the former legislator.
Zeballos supports the account from the clinic
From the medical centre where he remains hospitalised, Zeballos released a new audiovisual statement in which he partially supported Rojas's version. The former judge acknowledged that he had initially cast doubt on the identity of "The German", but explained that subsequent investigations by the Public Ministry led him to associate that nickname with Saucedo.
According to Zeballos, Rojas told him upon arriving at Viru Viru airport that she had travelled on the same plane as an Italian citizen, who had told her that the suitcases with marijuana belonged to someone nicknamed "The German".
"When Laura Rojas arrived from the United States and managed to leave Viru Viru international airport, she told me that she had travelled on the plane with an Italian citizen, who had told her that the suitcases containing marijuana were the property of an alias or someone nicknamed The German", Zeballos recounted.
The alleged cover-up by Mariaca
In an earlier statement to the media, Zeballos also implicated former general prosecutor Mariaca. He asserted that when he went to Viru Viru to help Rojas retrieve her luggage, a person told him that more than 30 suitcases had institutional backing.
"He told me not to worry about the 33 or 32 suitcases, more than 30 suitcases, not to worry because that had cover and protection from Señor Mariaca", the former judge maintained.
Zeballos also acknowledged having maintained an institutional and professional relationship with Saucedo, given that both exercised jurisdictional functions, although he insisted that at first he doubted that he was the owner of the luggage. He affirmed that he only learned after the events that the suitcases contained marijuana.
The Government confirms allegations against Saucedo
Minister of Government Marco Antonio Oviedo confirmed that during his expanded statement Rojas attributed to Saucedo an active role in bringing the suitcases into the country. However, Oviedo avoided certifying that the luggage was his property.
"It is in process and we will provide results when the elements are fully validated", the minister declared, announcing that official advances in the investigations will be presented.
A day earlier, Oviedo had indicated that Saucedo and Mariaca maintained a close relationship and had reportedly lived together in Sucre. Saucedo left Bolivia and declared himself in exile; Mariaca remains detained as part of an investigation into alleged links to drug trafficking.
Zeballos requests protection for his family
In his latest statement, Zeballos requested guarantees for his life and that of his family members, arguing that he fears for his safety after revealing the information he knows about the case.
"I place my life and that of my family in your hands. I need protection, please", he stated when addressing the authorities.
The former judge announced that he will expand his statement before the Public Ministry. The allegations against Mariaca and Saucedo must be contrasted with other pieces of evidence to determine the responsibilities that correspond in the investigation.
Source: El Deber