Uruguayan fugitive extradited from Argentina after recapture in Concordia
Carlos Damián Araujo, 21 years old, was extradited to Uruguay after escaping from prison in Salto in February 2026. He had been detained in Concordia with cocaine, ammunition and cash.
Extradition of Uruguayan fugitive from Concordia to country of origin
A Uruguayan citizen with a red Interpol alert was extradited to Uruguay following his detention in the Argentine city of Concordia, diarioriouruguay.com reported. The transfer was ordered by the Federal Court of Concordia, headed by Dr Analía G. Ramponi, with the involvement of the Criminal Secretariat headed by Dr Alan Bergoldt.
The operation was carried out by the Federal Operational Unit Division Gualeguaychú, under the Superintendence of Federal Investigation Agencies. The detainee was transferred from Penal Unit No. 9 to the Gualeguaychú – Fray Bentos Border Crossing "under strict custody, in compliance with the extradition order, in coordination with the Interpol Department of the Argentine Federal Police". At the General San Martín Bridge, he was formally handed over to personnel from Interpol Uruguay (OCN Montevideo).
Prison escape in Salto and recapture on Argentine soil
According to statements by federal authorities, the individual "had escaped in February 2026 whilst serving a sentence in the city of Salto, Oriental Republic of Uruguay, for the crimes of arms trafficking and drug trafficking". Following his escape, he was recaptured by Argentine authorities and placed at the disposal of the judiciary.
Last March, personnel from various departments were carrying out preventive operations in the Belgrano Sur neighbourhood of Concordia when they detected an individual acting suspiciously at the intersection of Tucumán Street and the railway tracks, within the jurisdiction of the Third Police Station. Upon noticing the police presence, the subject fled towards the railway track area, discarding various items during his flight, including prohibited substances and ammunition.
The pursuit extended to the densely vegetated area of the Manzores stream wetland, where the individual was finally apprehended following a cordon operation.
Identity, background and seizure of goods
Once identified, it was determined that the individual was Carlos Damián Araujo, 21 years old, with an address in the city of Concordia, against whom an international arrest warrant with a red alert was outstanding, according to the Department Police Headquarters.
During the operation, 28 cocaine wraps totalling 42.6 grammes were seized, 33 cartridges of various calibres (.32 and .22), 866,800 Argentine pesos, 8,000 Uruguayan pesos, a precision scale, two mobile phones and items for cutting drugs.
Araujo was sought by Uruguayan authorities in connection with a case involving internal arms trafficking and repeated offences related to drug supply, dated 23 February 2026. The Argentine federal force emphasised "the importance of international cooperation and the determination of the Federal Justice system".
Source: Google News UY — Crime