'Narcowood' case: Prosecutor and Police intervene in Santa Cruz condominium
Authorities conducted a raid on a property in the Equipetrol neighbourhood, as part of an investigation into the shipment of wood impregnated with drugs discovered in Chile.
'Narcowood' case: Prosecutor and Police intervene in Santa Cruz condominium
On Monday 15 June, prosecutors and law enforcement officers raided a condominium in the Equipetrol neighbourhood of Santa Cruz, as part of an investigation into the shipment of narcotics concealed in timber shipments destined for Chile.
The operation focused on a company based in the property, which is suspected of having participated in dispatching containers with controlled substances. Officers seized documentation that will be subject to analysis.
Meison Mamani, a prosecutor specialising in drug offences, confirmed that the measure was in response to events at ports in the neighbouring country, where a large quantity of narcotics was discovered hidden among pieces of wood. "A raid has been conducted because of what happened in Chile," he stated.
The owners and representatives of the company received notifications to appear before the authorities. Mamani emphasised that the investigation is in an active phase and that, for the moment, it is not possible to provide further details.
The origin of the enquiry dates back to early June, when Chilean officials seized 45 maritime containers originating from Bolivia. Analysis confirmed the presence of cocaine and ketamine concealed in the wood. It is estimated that, between January and April 2026, approximately 32 irregular shipments would have been made through shell companies.
Days before the operation in Santa Cruz, similar procedures had been carried out in Cobija and Porvenir, localities in the department of Pando. On 9 and 10 June, judges from both nations held videoconference meetings to share expert evidence and establish a Joint Investigation Team.
Together with the raid in Equipetrol, another intervention was carried out in the Industrial Park of the city, where some containers were sealed. It is estimated that, in total, at least five operations were conducted simultaneously.
The scheme has exposed a criminal organisation that appears to have managed to infiltrate Bolivia's export system using 15 shell companies. The cargo seized in Chile would have an approximate value of 8,300 million dollars.
_Source: La Patria_
Source: Google News BO — Crime