Senad, the Public Ministry, the National Cadastre Service and judicial clerks, faced the tracking of 18 properties distributed between Yby Yaú and Pedro Juan Caballero, these would belong to the cocaine trafficking scheme dismantled through “Operation Urano” in 2016. That action consisted in the first instance in the seizure of 417 kilos of cocaine in the Zapallo farm in Bella Vista Norte. The process continued until they found the leader, María Estela Argüello (the widow) and her collaborators.
Led by prosecutor Abg. Isaac Ferreira, the components of each institution accompanied the location of the buildings scattered between the departments of Amambay and Concepción. Through the geolocation process incorporated into the investigation, it was possible to determine the geographical areas in which the properties are located for individualization and subsequent confiscation.
Background to “Operation Uranus”
In July 2016, Senad was carrying out intelligence and investigation tasks on a rural neighborhood road in the district of Bella Vista Norte, department of Amambay. At one point, they spotted a Toyota Hilux truck, which according to previous data would be transporting the drug.
The occupants of the aforementioned vehicle, realizing the presence of authorities, carried out a maneuver to escape. In this way, the anti-drugs began a persecution. At one point, the vehicle quickly entered the property called Estancia “Zapallo”. Given this situation, following an order from the Public Ministry and through the predisposition of those responsible for the security of the establishment, the place was entered to carry out a search and they found 417 kilos of cocaine.
As the investigations proceeded, the members of the organization were arrested, and they are currently going through the oral trial stage. They are María Estela Argüello, Ever Gustavo Romero Colmán, Hugo Javier Romero Colmán, Julio César Romero Esteche, Nancy Elizabet Silva Portillo and Delio Ramón Núñez Portillo.
