Public Prosecutor's Office Investigates Delivery of 12 Vehicles to Woman Linked to Mariaca Case
The investigation into former prosecutor Róger Mariaca has opened a new front: 12 high-end vehicles delivered to a woman and possible bank accounts abroad.
40 days of investigations and two new fronts in the Mariaca case
According to El Deber, the Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating the delivery of at least 12 high-end vehicles to a woman linked to former attorney general Róger Mariaca, as part of a process that has now accumulated four weeks of investigations and is expanding towards possible bank accounts abroad.
José Armando Urioste, the authority overseeing the case, confirmed that statements are being taken from people to recover those vehicles. "We are receiving statements from people to recover the vehicles in the possession of, for example, a lady who would have received them from the former attorney general," he stated. Urioste did not identify the woman or specify the procedure or authorisation under which she received the vehicles. What drew his attention was that all of them remained under a single person's custody.
The investigation also seeks to reconstruct the origin of the funds and "determine whether there were straw men involved". Information is being analysed regarding possible Mariaca accounts abroad and third parties who may have appeared as owners of assets, although the existence or balance of those accounts has not yet been publicly confirmed. Urioste also confirmed that statements are being taken from protected witnesses, people who are cooperating under anonymity to prevent retaliation.
Arrest at Viru Viru and initial findings
The investigations were activated following the arrest of Mariaca and former departmental prosecutor Alberto Zeballos on 30 September at Viru Viru airport. Both are held in preventive detention: Mariaca in Cantumarca, Potosí, investigated for alleged links to drug trafficking and money laundering; Zeballos in Palmasola, from where he has only left for medical check-ups.
In the Jardines del Norte condominium in Santa Cruz, investigators found at the beginning of the process dollars and bolivianos hidden in drawers and shoebox cases: US$391,555 and Bs 328,200. On 1 October, the Police intercepted an ambulance which, according to preliminary reports, left the same condominium carrying Bs 3,532,100 and US$10,000 hidden. An investigation is underway into who ordered and carried out the transfer.
Operations also reached properties related to Zeballos and his family members, as well as properties in Mairana and La Yunga. Documents were gathered and some residences were sealed to establish the true ownership of the assets.
Cochabamba and the finding in an uninhabited property
This week, in Cochabamba, the Public Prosecutor's Office found US$375,000 in an uninhabited property, which was raided after analysing telephone communications. Urioste stated that there were indications that more money had been withdrawn before the search and announced that he would summon the property owner. It has not been established that the cash belonged to Mariaca.
The 'Roma case' and 43 vehicles seized in Santa Cruz
In Santa Cruz, the so-called 'Roma case' put high-end vehicle dealing under scrutiny. Between 16 and 18 October, the Police seized 43 vehicles at two car dealerships located on radial 27 and Avenida 2 de Agosto. Those responsible were summoned to testify and prosecutors are reviewing documentation, records and possible financial connections.
Urioste did not clarify whether the 12 vehicles delivered to the woman are part of the group of 43 seized. The Public Prosecutor's Office will have to review the seizure records, the designations of depositaries and the destination of each vehicle to establish any possible irregularities. Last week, raids were also carried out at car dealerships and residences in Santa Cruz to determine whether some assets were acquired with funds of irregular origin or registered in the names of third parties. No final account has yet been presented of the vehicles recovered or the total value of the assets under investigation.
Weapons and money in official facilities in Sucre
In Sucre, a review of vehicles used by Mariaca revealed weapons, ammunition, vests and communications equipment inside an official van. The finding led to other criminal proceedings. Money and documents were also seized from General Prosecutor's Office facilities, as well as Bs 1,007,200 in a bag that was in the possession of an aide-de-camp to the former authority.
Automotive Chamber alerts to money laundering at car dealerships
The Bolivian Automotive Chamber (CAB) warned that criminal organisations use some car dealerships to introduce illicit money into the economy. Its general manager, Luis Orlando Encinas, noted that high-end vehicles, smuggled cars and imported units with under-invoiced values could facilitate money-laundering operations from drug trafficking and related crimes.
"The car has become a currency," Encinas stated, explaining that some criminal networks receive vehicles as payment for drugs and weapons. The CAB called for an investigation into the car dealerships that were raided and warned about companies that close and reopen with new operators. Encinas demanded customs, tax and financial controls "to prevent illegal activity".
Source: El Deber