Ferrufino testifies in Marset case: was at safe house, not at main operation
Lieutenant Colonel Juan Ferrufino answered 24 questions before prosecutors about the operation on 13 March 2026 in Santa Cruz. He denied having participated in the raid on Marset's house.
Former counterintelligence chief describes his role in operation against Marset in Santa Cruz
Lieutenant Colonel Juan Ferrufino Rojas appeared before the prosecutors investigating the Marset case between 20:00 on Friday 23 October and the early hours of Saturday. According to El Deber's account, the former national head of police counterintelligence answered 24 questions about his participation in operations on 13 March 2026 in the Las Palmas neighbourhood of Santa Cruz de la Sierra.
Ferrufino stated that he was not at the property on "A" Street between Ibérica Avenue and San Miguel Street, where the main operation against the Uruguayan drug lord took place. Instead, he declared that his role was to direct a second simultaneous operation five minutes away by car from the same neighbourhood, at the intersection of Río Uruguayito Street and Salinas Street.
Two simultaneous operations on the same night
The officer explained that in the early hours of 13 March 2026 two planned operations were carried out at the same time. In the second, under his command, Marset's sister was detained along with an armed group of Venezuelan nationality who acted as the capo's security.
"From 02:55 hours I positioned myself at the last indicated property, where I was in charge of the isolation operations and security rings around the dwelling," Ferrufino declared. The officer said he initially arrived with 17 officers from the Delta Oruro group, high-precision shooters from the GEAT group and five officers from CEIP La Paz.
According to his account, the operation involved high risk: the Venezuelans loaded their weapons and climbed into an armoured vehicle. Ferrufino stated that he had constantly requested reinforcements from Colonel Moreno, the National Intelligence Director, via his personal telephone. Between 03:00 and 04:30 personnel arrived from the FELCN, Delta Santa Cruz, the departmental subcommander and the departmental commander of Santa Cruz, along with garrison chiefs.
Negotiation and voluntary surrender
The lieutenant colonel described having negotiated directly with the leader of the Venezuelan group, identified as Maikel, managing at approximately 07:00 for the occupants to come out with their hands up. Ferrufino indicated that he remained with his face uncovered throughout the operation. "With the experience I have, I prefer that the criminal organisation seek revenge rather than reach the prosecutor's office at that time," he stated.
Once the negotiation was concluded, the case was handed over to CEIP Santa Cruz. Entry to the property took place in the presence of four prosecutors: Dr Porras, Ordóñez, a prosecutor from Porongo and prosecutor Delmi Guzmán, who proceeded with investigative proceedings.
Ferrufino noted that he has videos of the negotiation which he presented as evidence during his declaration. He confirmed that he remained at the location until 09:00 in the morning, when, on instructions from superiors, he went to Delta Santa Cruz and then requested permission to return to La Paz, obtaining a flight that same night.
Witnesses to the operation
When asked whether there were officers who witnessed his participation, Ferrufino mentioned Captain Chacollo of Delta Oruro—heading the initial 17 personnel—two high-precision GEAT officers and Captain Aranibar of UTOP, who, according to his statement, was with him throughout the operation.
The officer also denied that police officer Erick Salvador Correa Gonzales participated in the operation at the property located between Río Uruguayito and Salinas Streets. Regarding the overall conduct of that second operation, Ferrufino was direct: "I have taken charge of the operation, from beginning to end".
No criminal record and decision to testify
At the start of questioning, Ferrufino chose to testify in the presence of his lawyer, waiving his constitutional right to remain silent. He confirmed having no police or judicial criminal record.
In March 2026 he served as national head of counterintelligence at the National Intelligence Directorate, with the rank of lieutenant colonel. The Marset case also includes allegations of the alleged theft of goods belonging to the capo during the operations, a line that prosecutors continue to investigate.
Source: El Deber