Operation Tracker in Montevideo: 265 kg of drugs and four detained
The National Police seized more than 265 kilograms of cocaine paste and cocaine valued at nearly 2 million dollars. Four people were detained in raids in Brazo Oriental and Pérez Castellanos.
Four detained and nearly two million dollars in drugs following raids in Montevideo
The General Directorate for Combating Illicit Drug Trafficking (DGRTID) and the Investigation Division of the National Naval Police Force (DIVIN) seized 141.590 kilograms of cocaine paste and 124.154 kilograms of cocaine under Operation Tracker, according to gub.uy. The estimated value of the cargo amounts to nearly 2 million dollars—approximately 68,396,000 Uruguayan pesos.
Intelligence work made it possible to identify a man who would be part of a criminal organisation dedicated to drug trafficking, linked to the transport and storage of substances. The investigation also identified other people responsible for guarding money obtained through drug sales.
Once the prosecution was informed, three raids were ordered in the neighbourhoods of Brazo Oriental and Pérez Castellanos, in Montevideo. The operations resulted in the detention of three men and one woman, all adults.
In addition to the drugs, agents seized more than 3 million Uruguayan pesos and 42,564 dollars in cash, five vehicles, two 9 mm calibre pistols—one of which was sought for theft—236 rounds of 7.62 calibre ammunition, 8 rounds of 9 mm calibre ammunition and 27 rounds of .22 calibre ammunition. The National Directorate of the Republican Guard, the General Directorate of Special Operations and the National Directorate of Scientific Police also participated in the secondary proceedings.
Three people charged with trafficking and money laundering
Interior Minister Carlos Negro stressed at a press conference that "this is a new operation that concludes successfully thanks to the National Police and the Investigation Directorate". Negro emphasised that the operation is not an isolated event, but part of a series of operations carried out over the last six months that have succeeded in dismantling criminal structures, seizing drugs and confiscating high-value assets and vehicles.
The minister also reported that in recent hours three people were charged with drug trafficking and money laundering as a result of this operation. He also highlighted the coordination between the National Police and the National Public Prosecutor's Office, noting that joint work between investigators and prosecutors enables results of this magnitude to be achieved.
National Police Director José Manuel Azambuya indicated that this type of operation requires prolonged and complex investigations, in which evidence and clues are gathered before proceeding with judicial action. Azambuya highlighted the training of officers and stated that the institution maintains as its objective neutralising criminal groups operating in the country.
More than 30 detained in recent operations across the country
Operation Tracker adds to other operations carried out in recent days: Operation Polux in Salto and Operation Jaguar in Soriano. Together, these three operations resulted in more than 30 detentions, including those of leaders of criminal organisations, as well as the seizure of more than 10 firearms, 12 vehicles and more than 3,664,208 doses of narcotic substances. The value of the drugs removed from the market exceeds 15 million dollars, equivalent to more than 70 million Uruguayan pesos.
National Police Deputy Director Julio Sena noted that, beyond investigations into international trafficking, the DGRTID works permanently alongside Departmental Anti-Drugs Brigades in dismantling drug distribution points. Sena specified that so far this year approximately 120 people have been sentenced or charged with offences linked to drug trafficking.
"This work deserves recognition, as when it is often carried out in isolation, it does not always reach the media," said the deputy director.
Source: Google News UY — Crime