Money found in Mariaca's ambulance arrives in La Paz; Police investigate two clinics
The Felcn assumes the investigation into Bs 3.5 million and $US 10,000 found in an ambulance linked to detained Attorney General Mariaca. Four drivers transferred to La Paz were released on Friday.
Bs 3.5 million in an ambulance: Police transfer Mariaca case to Felcn
According to eju.tv, the money found on Thursday in a private ambulance that entered the residence of detained Attorney General Édgar Mariaca was transferred to La Paz along with four detainees and seized items, after the investigation was referred to the Special Anti-Narcotics Force (Felcn).
The count of cash, carried out under the direction of a matter prosecutor and with the presence of media outlets and the police transparency unit, yielded a total of Bs 3,532,100 and $US 10,000. The notes were hidden in several suitcases distributed across different compartments of the vehicle.
The general commander of the Police, Adrián Álvarez, explained that agents initially believed the ambulance had entered the condominium in the northern zone of Santa Cruz de la Sierra to provide medical assistance. The vehicle was subjected to a check only when it left the property, at which point the money was discovered.
Departmental commander Fernández justified the transfer of detainees and seized material to the Government seat: "When a case is referred, everything has to be moved. Both the seized items and the apprehended persons."
Four drivers apprehended and later released
The four detainees are drivers linked to Mariaca's work environment. They were intercepted in the vicinity of the Attorney General's residence in connection with the money transfer, transported from Santa Cruz to the Los Diablos Rojos unit facilities in El Trompillo and subsequently taken to La Paz under heavy security measures. On Friday afternoon, however, the four drivers were released.
Two clinics under investigation
Fernández confirmed that the Police are investigating two medical centres, but avoided providing specific details given that investigations remain open. Intelligence units of the Santa Cruz Departmental Police will collaborate with the Felcn in that line of investigation.
The commander also did not rule out that additional persons may be implicated. "Certainly in the course of the investigation there will likely be some participation from other people, but we will make that known at the appropriate time," he stated.
The major operation and the Marset link
The case is part of the major operation deployed this week in Santa Cruz, La Paz and Sucre, which resulted in the apprehension of Mariaca, departmental prosecutor Alberto Zeballos, superior prosecutor Martín Irusta, Police major Rubén Aparicio and other persons. The investigation is related to proceedings linked to Uruguayan drug trafficker Sebastián Marset.
The money remains in custody as seized material whilst investigators seek to establish its source, the route it took to the ambulance and the possible involvement of other persons or institutions.
Source: Google News BO — La Paz