Mariaca case: Prosecution applies micro-aspiration to seized Toyota Land Cruiser and BMW
The Public Ministry analysed two high-end vehicles in search of controlled substances. The results will be available on Monday, according to prosecutor Daniel Cruz.
Micro-aspiration of Mariaca case vehicles seeks to detect controlled substances
The Chuquisaca Departmental Prosecution ordered the micro-aspiration of two high-end vehicles linked to the Mariaca case, lapatria.bo reported on Wednesday 21 October. The vehicles—a black Toyota Land Cruiser and a white BMW—were unsealed at the General Prosecution Office for the procedure.
Case prosecutor Daniel Cruz detailed that laboratory personnel and an expert commissioned from La Paz carried out the micro-aspiration. "This procedure has already been concluded and surely by Monday at the latest, we will have the results that will allow us to establish whether there is any type of controlled substance present inside both vehicles," Cruz stated.
Weapons found transferred to Felcc custody
Days earlier, weapons and ammunition had been found inside both vehicles. Prosecutor Cruz clarified that the weaponry found in the Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle remained seized for security reasons, and he ordered its transfer to the custody of the Special Force for Fighting Crime (Felcc).
Regarding the origin of the weapons, Cruz noted: "It will be established whether the weapons are part of the standard issue of the police officers guarding Dr Roger Mariaca, whether they are assigned to any particular police officer or whether they have another origin". Ballistic tests will be carried out in the coming weeks.
The investigation continues for offences linked to drug trafficking, criminal organisation and weapons trafficking and possession. The proceedings seek to strengthen the lawful obtaining of evidence to identify the alleged perpetrators of the facts.
43 high-end vehicles seized in Santa Cruz
On 19 October, in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, the Special Force for Fighting Drug Trafficking (Felcn) and the Public Ministry executed raids on two car dealerships. In the operation 43 high-end vehicles were seized, as well as a DVR unit and mobile devices.
The properties linked to Mariaca had been raided on 16 October and remained sealed in the municipalities of Samaipata and Mairana, in the Santa Cruz department. In total, 11 raids were executed: four in La Paz and seven in Santa Cruz, where documents of title and real property registered in the name of Mariaca and third parties were also seized.
During one of the raids in Santa Cruz, a sum exceeding 10 million bolivianos and a banknote counting machine were found.
Weapons and Starlink antenna found in institutional vehicle
On 12 October, Chuquisaca prosecutor Grover Moscoso Llanos announced the unsealing and inspection of an institutional vehicle transporting Mariaca. In that vehicle three firearms were seized—two 9-millimetre calibre and one 22-calibre—26 rounds, a Starlink antenna, a hand bag and a mobile telephone.
The interim General Prosecutor of the State, José Armando Urioste, described the finding of weapons inside that official Public Ministry vehicle, inspected on 7 October, as "irregular and illegal". In earlier operations, bullet-proof vests, portable radios and tear gas were also found.
Mariaca in preventive detention in Cantumarca
Roger Mariaca is held in preventive detention at the Cantumarca prison, Potosí, for a period of six months, whilst the Public Ministry investigates his alleged links to organisations engaged in drug trafficking.
The results of the micro-aspiration and ballistic tests will be key to determining the scope of the case and the responsibility of those involved in the offences under investigation.
Source: Google News BO — Crime