Drug trafficker "Watón Nacho" arrested in Lampa with over $200 million in drugs and firearms
The PDI captured the drug trafficker in the "La Poesía" neighbourhood along with 27 kilos of cocaine, high-powered weapons and more than a thousand rounds of ammunition.
Arrest of "Watón Nacho" in Lampa: drugs, weapons and cash seized
The Police of Investigations (PDI) arrested drug trafficker known as "Watón Nacho" on Wednesday in the municipality of Lampa, Metropolitan Region. According to a report by biobiochile.cl, the operation took place in the "La Poesía" neighbourhood and resulted in the seizure of drugs valued at over 200 million pesos.
The operation was led by the MT-0 team of the Criminal Investigation Brigade (BICRIM) of Lampa, in coordination with the Metropolitan North Centre Public Prosecutor's Office. The property raided had been identified as a collection and distribution point for illicit substances linked to an active investigation target.
At the location, cocaine base, cocaine hydrochloride, ketamine, MDMA (ecstasy) and cannabis sativa were seized. Prosecutor Marcela Adasme, head of the Criminal Analysis Public Prosecutor's Office North Centre, specified that the total amount of drugs seized comes to "approximately 27 kilos of cocaine, including cocaine paste, cocaine hydrochloride, ketamine, ecstasy, marijuana and materials used to conceal the drugs".
Along with the substances, officers seized four Glock firearms, 17 magazines—some adapted for greater capacity—and more than a thousand rounds of ammunition of various calibres, in addition to cash.
"This organisation has significant firepower," warned Adasme. The prosecutor added that the detainee was placed at the disposal of the Colina Guarantee Court, where the detention review hearing was held.
Prefect Katherine González, head of the Metropolitan North Centre Prefecture, confirmed that the captured individual is "Chilean, of legal age, with a record for violation of Law 20.000 (Drug Law)". González also indicated that it is "one of the individuals who were at large from this criminal organisation" and that, as part of the same investigation, approximately four people in total have already been arrested.
"As each person was arrested over this time, they were continuously changing location," the prefect specified, describing the mobility of the investigated network.
Germán Codina, presidential delegate of the Metropolitan Region of Santiago, backed the operation representing the Executive Branch. "We want to convey the full support of the Government of Chile and especially of the Ministry of the Interior to the coordinated work being carried out by the Public Prosecutor's Office together with the PDI in pursuing criminal gangs," he stated. Codina emphasised that organised crime "has shown a very violent presence over recent years in different parts of the region".
Source: Google News CL — Crime