Four defendants in drug case sent to different prisons after 14-hour hearing in La Paz
The La Paz prosecution presented money, high-end mobile phones and documents as evidence against Mariaca, Zeballos, Irusta and Aparicio, who were sent to preventive detention.
Evidence of drug trafficking and organised crime supports detention of four suspects in La Paz
Prosecutor Edwin Sarmiento reported on Saturday that the Department Prosecution of La Paz presented before the judge the evidence supporting the charges against Róger Mariaca, Alberto Zeballos, Martín Irusta and Police Major Rubén Aparicio. According to El Deber, the four were sent to preventive detention for six months in different penitentiary facilities across the country.
The defendants are being investigated for the alleged offences of criminal organisation and trafficking in controlled substances.
Among the evidence gathered during the investigation are sums of money, high-end mobile phones, documents, intelligence reports and cybernetic patrol records from the Police. "Various items of evidence have been collected, from sums of money, from high-end mobile phones, as well as documents and other elements that were presented at the precautionary measures hearing," Sarmiento stated.
The prosecutor noted that the investigation aims to determine the individual participation of each defendant and that the organised crime case covers events occurring over an extended period. The investigation dates back even to the period when Mariaca worked as a lawyer, before holding the positions of departmental prosecutor and later attorney general. "From when, moreover, he was a lawyer, because he had represented people who were linked to drug trafficking offences. So it begins there, then departmental prosecutor, then attorney general," Sarmiento explained.
Hearing lasting more than 14 hours and transfers to different prisons
The precautionary measures hearing lasted more than 14 hours, beginning after 05:00 on Saturday. The judge determined the preventive detention of the four suspects and ordered their distribution to different penitentiary centres, a measure which, according to the prosecutor, seeks to safeguard their integrity and prevent possible contact between the defendants.
Mariaca will be transferred to Cantumarca prison in Potosí; Zeballos to El Abra in Cochabamba; Irusta to Patacamaya in La Paz; and Aparicio to Chonchocoro, also in La Paz. The transfers are subject to the logistical capacity and available resources of the Police.
Sarmiento also confirmed the existence of an additional proceeding related to the case, with a precautionary measures hearing scheduled for Sunday at 07:00 before the Second Criminal Instruction Court of the South district. The prosecutor declined to provide details about that investigation and indicated that the Prosecution would first present the evidence before the judge.
The Department Prosecution of La Paz assured that it would act at all times in accordance with the principles of legality and objectivity.
Source: El Deber