Police trace criminal network in Santa Cruz following murder and threats against vice-minister
Bolivian police are investigating a murder in Santa Cruz linked to threats against vice-minister Peter Maldonado. A network active in three departments is suspected.
Criminal network under investigation following crime and threats against authority
Bolivian police identified the location where a video related to the murder of a man in Santa Cruz was recorded, according to a report by elalteno.com.bo. The material is also part of investigations into a direct threat against the vice-minister of Interior Regime and Police, Peter Maldonado.
The commander general of police, Adrián Álvarez, confirmed that intelligence and criminal investigation teams are conducting operations to gather new evidence. Álvarez anticipated that he expects results in the coming hours and that details will be made public once the operations are concluded.
One of the lines of investigation points to an alleged criminal structure with operations in Santa Cruz, Beni and the Tropics of Cochabamba. Investigators are seeking to determine who comprises that organisation and what their connections are.
The investigations also cover the circulation of messages following the crime. Police detected that telephone numbers from abroad created a WhatsApp group in which they added journalists to disseminate content linked to the murder.
Álvarez noted that inquiries point to possible links with drug trafficking, contract killing and arms trafficking. The participation of specific individuals, however, will need to be established through ongoing investigative procedures.
Source: Google News BO — Crime