The departmental prosecutor of Oruro, Aldo Morales Alconini, He informed that the Public Ministry investigates five military personnels of the Strategic Operational Command to Fight smuggling (CEO-LCC) For the alleged crime of concussion, after being surprised in flagrance while facilitating the passage of illegal merchandise in the border sector of Julo, municipality of Sabaya.
The intervention was carried out on July 22, following a complaint of the Vice Ministry of Fight against smuggling, which warned about alleged irregular charges to carriers to allow the entry of smuggling products to the country.
Those involved – Lieutenant FB (30), Petty Officer 2nd. JV (34), Sergeant 1st. HB (30) and Sergeants 2nd. MQ (28) and CC (26) – They were intercepted by another group of the same CEO-LCC, which was verifying the fulfillment of functions in the area. Not finding them in their position, a search operation was organized and were located more than a kilometer from the place.
During the intervention, the mobile phones of the troops were requisitioned, where messages and files were found that would show an alleged coordination to allow the passage of at least 17 trucks with illegal merchandise.
One of the messages referred to the collection of 27,600 Bolivians. QR codes allegedly linked to logistic transactions and reports that tried to justify the withdrawal of a vehicle for alleged mechanical failures were also found.
A abandoned Condor Nissan Condor truck was found in the place, loaded with bales of clothing and communication equipment. The seized radios frequently coincided with those used by a nearby military patrol. To prevent the load from being recovered by smugglers, the truck was destroyed by incineration, according to established protocols.
The five military were transferred to the city of Oruro and made available to the Public Ministry. The Prosecutor’s Office presented enough elements of conviction to request its preventive detention, while the investigations continue. The case is considered of high institutional relevance, because they are in charge of the fight against smuggling in strategic border areas.
