Smuggling along the Uruguay River
The operation originated from the order issued by the Federal Court of First Instance No. 1 of the City of Gualeguaychú, in charge of Hernán Viri, Criminal and Correctional Secretariat of Francisco Grego, with the objective of dismantling a gang that exported illegally weapons, merchandise and appliances, passing shipments through unauthorized passages across the river to the neighboring country of Uruguay.
Under this modus operandi, merchandise purchases were made at different fairs in Buenos Aires and they were packaged, and then transported in different vehicles to Villa Paranacito, Entre Ríos, from where they were smuggled abroad.
Where the raids took place
In this context, 18 raids were carried out in different homes located in the Entre Ríos towns of Villa Paranacito, Gualeguaychú and Ceibas, and in Lomas de Zamora (Buenos Aires).
As a result, nine people involved were arrested and weapons and ammunition of different calibers, 42 cell phones, household appliances, eight vehicles, seven boats and cash were seized.
In addition, fishing nets, clothing, accessories, computer items and material of interest to the cause were seized. “The value of everything seized exceeds 480 million pesos,” they finally stated.
