This Tuesday the Ministry of the Interior presented a press conference to provide details on the results of the plan to combat micro-trafficking in the metropolitan area in the last quarter (from August to October).
According to the data provided by the ministry, in that period the Police managed to close up to 105 drug outlets distributed between Montevideo, Canelones and San José, in addition to covering another three. Likewise, the dismantling of two criminal gangs that operated in the area took place.
The authorities carried out a total of 210 interventions, of which 132 were raids and the rest (78) took place on public roads. During these operations, the Police arrested a total of 254 people: 143 during raids and 111 on public roads.
Of the total number of people arrested, 141 received judicial prosecution and 109 obtained a final prison sentence. In addition, a total of 35 firearms were seized, as well as 27 vehicles.
On the other hand, 3,752,749 pesos was the amount of money that the authorities recovered from the criminal agents. As far as substances are concerned, 6,757 grams and 270 marijuana plants were seized; 5,602 grams of cocaine and 5,955 grams of base paste.
Since May, the month in which the plan began to be developed, the Police dismantled 374 drug outlets and arrested 720 people, of whom 382 ended up convicted. Likewise, the money recovered for criminal activities amounts to almost 24.5 million pesos. .
a family band
The chief of the Montevideo Police, Mario D’Eliía, told that one of the gangs was called “Los Cacagua” and explained how it operated. The criminals were three brothers plus their partners and children along with other people who helped them distribute drugs. The gang was deployed in the neighborhoods of Peñarol and Flor de Maroñas where they looted, bought drugs and then distributed them. To gain territory, they confronted their rivals with firearms.
In the case of the other gang, it introduced drugs from neighboring countries and trafficked it in double-bottomed vehicles. The narcotics went to a farm and then they distributed it to sell it in Montevideo in the form of micro-trafficking.
