Mariaca case: second proceedings over Bs 3.5 million found in ambulance
The Prosecutor's Office opened a second case linked to the Mariaca case after seizing Bs 3.5 million and $us 10,000 in an ambulance that left the former prosecutor's condominium.
Second case in Mariaca matter involving millions transported in ambulance
The Bolivian Prosecutor's Office opened a second criminal case related to the investigation into an alleged criminal organisation in senior ranks of the Public Ministry, according to confirmation from El Deber. The new case names as defendants the three people found transporting money in an ambulance during the early morning of 1 October.
The amount seized totals Bs 3,532,100 and $us 10,000. The three detained persons were travelling in the vehicle as they left the condominium where former Attorney General of the State Róger Mariaca resides, hours after the arrest of Mariaca and the departmental prosecutor for Santa Cruz, Alberto Zeballos.
Precautionary measures hearing set for Sunday
Prosecutor Edwin Sarmiento, a member of the commission handling the case, reported that the hearing on precautionary measures was set for Sunday at 07:00 before the Second Criminal Instruction Court of the Southern zone, which was on duty.
"In reality, two cases have been opened. We are still not going to provide any information, because the hearing on precautionary measures has not yet been held," Sarmiento stated.
The prosecutors' commission declined to specify the number of people who will be prosecuted in this second case. Sarmiento explained that the confidentiality is owing to the Prosecutor's Office strategy and the need to avoid disclosing investigation elements before the judge who will hear the case.
"I ask you, please, that on this matter we still cannot answer any questions due to the Prosecutor's Office strategy, and also to avoid revealing any matter of significance," the prosecutor affirmed.
Case context
The second case emerged days after Bolivian justice ordered the preventive detention of Mariaca, Zeballos, and also under investigation Irusta and Aparicio. The four face charges for alleged criminal organisation and trafficking in controlled substances, within the framework of an investigation into their suspected links with a structure providing protection to drug trafficking related to Uruguayan citizen Sebastián Marset.
The Prosecutor's Office indicated that only after the Sunday precautionary measures hearing will it be able to provide further details about those involved in this new case and the crimes attributed to them.
Source: El Deber