Wave of violence in Santa Cruz and Beni: butcher shot dead, tortured doctor and PCC leader wounded
Three violent incidents shook Santa Cruz and Beni between Saturday and Monday: a butcher shot dead, a doctor murdered and a Brazilian criminal leader wounded in a confrontation with police.
Three criminal incidents in 72 hours shock Santa Cruz and Beni
According to El Deber, a series of armed confrontations, murders and torture cases recorded between Saturday and Monday, 26 October shook the departments of Santa Cruz and Beni, keeping police and prosecutor's office personnel mobilised across three separate scenes.
Butcher shot dead in San Matías
The most recent case occurred in San Matías, Santa Cruz. Ronald Kuhn Justiniano, a butcher by trade, was shot dead with at least 15 gunshots, according to a preliminary report by authorities. Sources indicate that four years ago, the same man had been wounded in another gunfight in the same area.
Doctor found dead with signs of torture in Trinidad
In the city of Trinidad, Beni, a doctor identified as César Antonio R.P. was found lifeless in a room of a building located in the San Antonio neighbourhood. His body bore signs of violence and torture. A second person who was in another room of the same building was assisted and evacuated alive to a medical centre. Authorities suspect it was a robbery that resulted in murder, and are awaiting the official report to confirm it. The police investigation is guided in large part by the testimony of that survivor.
Brazilian criminal leader wounded in Concepción after shootout with police
During the weekend, in the vicinity of the Concepción cemetery in Santa Cruz, a criminal group engaged in a shooting with police officers. In the exchange of gunfire, Engri Júnior de Almeida Maia, alias "Júnior Trindade", was wounded by a shot to the head. He is identified as leader of the group Amigos del Estado (ADE), linked to the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC). In Brazil he is known as "Pablo Escobar of Goiás".
According to Bolivian authorities, the Brazilian began his criminal career in 2008 and rose through the ranks until founding ADE, an organisation involved in contract killings, drug trafficking and arms trafficking. After evading justice in his country, he entered Bolivia in 2021 under a false identity. His true identity was revealed after he was wounded and transferred to a hospital in Concepción, thanks to information exchange between the Bolivian police, Brazil's Federal Police and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). His prognosis is guarded.
One detainee linked to the case
Of the three incidents, only one resulted in an arrest: the alleged girlfriend of the PCC leader was presented by police in Santa Cruz as an accomplice in her partner's illicit activities.
Police are keeping investigations open to clarify the crimes against the four victims and to identify and capture those responsible for the attacks in Santa Cruz and Beni.
Source: El Deber