Carlos Palacios declared as defendant in Chile in drug trafficking case linked to his vehicle
The Boca Juniors midfielder was required to present himself before the PDI in Chile in connection with a drug trafficking case linked to a vehicle registered in his name.
Footballer summoned by Chilean justice after winning title
Carlos Palacios, a 26-year-old midfielder for Boca Juniors, presented himself on Monday before the Anti-Narcotics Brigade of Chile's Investigative Police (PDI) to declare as a defendant in a drug trafficking case. According to diariopopular.com.ar, the player had travelled to the country to visit his children and attend a football match, days after winning the Argentine League championship with Boca the previous Saturday.
Palacios remained at the police facilities for nearly two hours. He arrived hooded and appeared visibly uncomfortable in the presence of cameras and microphones. "Take the microphone out of my face," he told reporters, according to Chilean media outlet En Cancha. When asked about the reason for his summons, he responded with irony: "Because I came to watch yesterday's match," referring to the encounter between Ñublense and Colo-Colo.
A Mercedes-Benz van at the centre of the investigation
The judicial case revolves around a Mercedes-Benz van registered in the name of the player, which allegedly was used to transport coca paste. The investigation also includes the seizure of more than 1,400 kilograms of illicit substances. Palacios's father-in-law is currently held in preventive detention in connection with this case.
Following his declaration, his defence lawyer Felipe Moraga clarified that his client was not formally charged and that no precautionary measures have been imposed against him. According to him, the prosecution sought to gather information about the vehicle, review the documents proving its purchase, and evaluate a possible return.
Moraga explained that the acquisition of the van was entirely legal: Palacios purchased it through a credit and handed over another vehicle as part of the payment. Upon settling in Argentina in 2025, he left the vehicle at a family property in Santiago. "Without his permission—and that has been made very clear—without his authorisation, without his consent, it is used by this person, his father-in-law. Carlos finds out about all of this because of a news report, when this man is already detained," the defence lawyer said.
Professional consequences and change of plans
The judicial summons altered the footballer's schedule, forcing him to modify his return flight to Buenos Aires. According to his lawyer, his appearance in a television broadcast may have accelerated the prosecution's call.
Moraga also acknowledged the impact of the episode on Palacios's career, even amid celebrations for the championship won with Boca. "It has caused him many work problems. They just became champions in Argentina, they are happy, but the club president, Juan Román Riquelme, evidently does not find this situation very pleasant," concluded the lawyer.
Source: Google News CL — Crime