Carabineros Dismantles Drug Trafficking and Illegal Weapons Network in Pudahuel

In a remarkable display of law enforcement prowess, the Chilean Carabineros (national police force) has successfully apprehended four individuals involved in a complex network of drug trafficking and illegal weapons possession in the Estrella Sur neighborhood of Pudahuel, a municipality within the Santiago metropolitan area.

The operation, which was the culmination of a meticulous investigative process, has dealt a significant blow to the criminal activities plaguing the local community. Through a series of coordinated raids across 12 residences in Pudahuel and one in Peñaflor, the Carabineros were able to uncover a trove of illicit drugs, firearms, and ammunition, as well as a substantial amount of cash believed to be the proceeds of their unlawful operations.

The Suspects and Their Charges

The four individuals arrested in this operation are all Chilean nationals, and their identities and the charges they face have been meticulously detailed by the Carabineros:

• M.E.R.I, 43 years old: Previous criminal records for drug trafficking and burglary. Arrested for violating the Ley 20.000 (Drugs and Narcotics Control Law).
• D.E.C.O, 41 years old: Prior convictions for fraud and carrying a bladed weapon. Arrested for an outstanding warrant.
• L.A.R.R, 32 years old: No previous criminal history. Arrested under the Ley 20.000.
• G.A.O.F, 30 years old: Criminal records for theft and homicide. Arrested under the Ley N° 17.798 (Firearms and Explosives Control Law).

The Seized Evidence

During the meticulous operation, the Carabineros were able to seize a substantial amount of evidence, including:

• $1,574,620 in cash, in various denominations of coins and bills.
• An undetermined quantity of illicit drugs, which will be further analyzed and quantified.
• 51 rounds of ammunition.
• 1 .22 caliber rifle.
• 1 Bersa Thunder 9 pistol with the serial number removed.

The Next Steps

The apprehended individuals have been handed over to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, and their first detention hearing is scheduled for September 10, 2024, at the 1st Guarantee Court of Santiago. This comprehensive operation by the Carabineros has effectively dismantled a dangerous criminal network, making the Estrella Sur neighborhood and the surrounding areas safer for the local community.

Conclusion

The successful operation carried out by the Chilean Carabineros in Pudahuel serves as a testament to their unwavering commitment to maintaining public safety and upholding the rule of law. By targeting the illicit activities of drug trafficking and illegal weapons possession, the Carabineros have delivered a significant blow to the criminal elements that have been plaguing the local community. This coordinated effort not only resulted in the apprehension of four individuals but also the seizure of a substantial amount of evidence, including a significant sum of cash, drugs, and firearms. The residents of Estrella Sur and the surrounding areas can now breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that the Carabineros are vigilantly working to protect their neighborhoods and ensure their safety.