Pedro Rafael Vincent Gómez (50), one of the 12 defendants for his alleged involvement in money laundering, among other crimes, whose trial is taking place in Punto Fijo (Falcón), died this Thursday due to respiratory problems, judicial sources said.
Vincent Gómez was one of the sailors on the fishing vessels belonging to the Camacaro Hoyos Group that carry out large-scale fishing operations off the coast of Falcón.
An inspection of two vessels belonging to the aforementioned business group was the start of the criminal investigation that led to the arrest of 12 people who are currently being tried in the 2nd Trial Court of Falcón, Punto Fijo extension, in charge of Mariel vis Sánchez.
In the midst of the investigation, Vincent Gómez was summoned to testify and was detained at the Regional Anti-Drug Intelligence Unit (Uría) No. 13 based in Punto Fijo.
While in prison, Vincent Gomez’s health deteriorated because he had trouble breathing every night, said his lawyers, who filed an order with the aforementioned court to transfer him to a health center.
Indeed, Judge Sánchez agreed to the request, but the court order was not executed in Court 13 until approximately 15 days ago, when Vincent Gómez was admitted to the Rafael Calles Sierra Hospital, located in Punto Fijo.
He remained intubated at that hospital until his death on Thursday.
Five other defendants are also suffering from health problems, which is why Judge Sánchez has ordered their transfer to health centers, an order that has allegedly been breached by the 13th Court, judicial sources commented. This is the case of Max Thomson, Pedro Villegas, Alexis Rojas, Daniela Villavicencio and Freddy García.
The investigation into the Camacaro Group has been denounced as an extortion operation allegedly perpetrated by representatives of the Public Prosecutor’s Office and military officials.
In fact, an internal investigation was opened against Major of the Bolivarian National Guard Diego Armando Perche Párraga for being “one of the pieces that collaborated in an alleged extortion” of businessman César Camacaro Hoyos, according to file GNB-CG-IG-SI:011-23, according to judicial sources.