400+ Kgs of Cocaine Seized: Bullrich Arrives, Cargo Details Emerge
argentina Seizes Nearly 500 Kilos of cocaine in San Lorenzo Port
Table of Contents
- argentina Seizes Nearly 500 Kilos of cocaine in San Lorenzo Port
- Argentina Seizes Nearly 500 Kilos of Cocaine in San lorenzo Port: Your Questions Answered
- What happened in San Lorenzo, Argentina?
- How much cocaine was seized, and what’s its estimated street value?
- Where was the cocaine found on the ship?
- What was the ship’s declared cargo, and where did it originate?
- Was the captain involved,and how was the revelation made?
- What is the “blind hook” method, and how does it relate to this case?
- What are the major players in this case?
- Where does the investigation stand now?
- what are the implications for Argentina and international drug trafficking?
- How is the Rosario region connected to international drug trafficking?
- Can you summarize the key events timeline surrounding the Seizure?
- What role do Colombian drug traffickers play, as mentioned in the article?
- What are some of the challenges in stopping this type of smuggling?
- Where can I find updates on this story?
SAN LORENZO, Argentina (AP) — Authorities in argentina have seized a significant cocaine shipment, discovered aboard a vessel docked at the Vicentin company pier in San Lorenzo. The ship, bearing the flag of the Marshall Islands, contained nearly 500 kilograms of the illicit substance.
Security Minister to Address Discovery
The nation’s Security Minister, Patricia Bullrich, is scheduled to provide further details regarding the seizure at a press conference Thursday morning. The press conference will be held at the San Lorenzo Prefecture headquarters,where the forces involved in the operation,under the direction of prosecutor Claudio Kishimoto,are based.
Customs Agency Provides Initial Details
Initial facts regarding the drug seizure has been released by the Customs Collection and Control Agency (ARCA). The agency reported that the cocaine was concealed on the merchant ship “CECI,” which flies under the Marshall Islands flag.
ARCA estimates the street value of the seized cocaine to be approximately $6 million in the large-scale drug trafficking market.Othre sources have provided slightly varying estimates of the amount of cocaine seized, ranging from 467 to 482 kilograms.
Ship’s Voyage and Suspicious Discovery
The “CECI” had traveled from Dubai, making a stop at Pontón Arrogante in international waters of the Río de la Plata before arriving in San Lorenzo. According to ARCA, the ship declared a cargo of sunflower pellets and was en route to the Netherlands.
Tip-Off from the captain?
While neither the Ministry of Security nor prosecutor kishimoto have confirmed this detail, reports suggest that the ship’s captain alerted authorities after noticing suspicious bags in the vessel’s refrigeration chambers. the captain reportedly contacted the shipowner, who then relayed the information to the appropriate authorities.
International Smuggling suspected
The exact origin and destination of the “CECI,” and also the potential involvement of crew members or port personnel, remain under investigation. However, authorities believe the transport logistics point to the involvement of large international smuggling organizations.
Customs agents discovered the suspicious packages during an inspection of the vessel, finding them in a refrigerator containing food for the crew. Anti-narcotics dogs then reacted to the packages, further confirming the presence of drugs.
Official spokesmen noted that the packages were marked with images of crowns, suggesting a possible connection to a specific drug cartel.
Federal sources, as cited by Infobae, indicate that the ship’s crew consists of 21 Filipino nationals.
Rosario Region: A Hub for International Drug Traffic
While officials have described the seizure as significant, this is not the first time a port in the Rosario region has been identified as a key point in international cocaine smuggling operations. These operations often involve international cartels, local logistics networks, and European operators.
In 2022, cocaine cargoes originating from Puerto Rosario were seized in Santos, Brazil, and Rotterdam, Netherlands.
A federal investigation revealed that large quantities of cocaine were indeed being shipped from ports in the city and surrounding region, confirming long-held suspicions.
“blind Hook” Contamination Method
The investigation uncovered a method of cargo contamination known as the “blind hook.” this technique involves breaking the customs seals of containers within the Puerto Rosario fiscal deposit and inserting bags of drugs into shipments, such as tons of peanuts from Córdoba. The original seals are then replaced with similar ones, indicating collusion by port personnel and perhaps other authorities.
Another case highlighting the use of Rosario as a logistics point for international drug trafficking involved the seizure of more than 1,500 kilograms of cocaine in August 2022.
The drugs were found in a warehouse in Genoa at 2400,an area known for high levels of violence due to conflicts between gangs involved in retail drug sales. The purity of the seized substance had already been considerably reduced, adulterated by more than 90 percent.
According to drug files related to the Genoa seizure, Gabriel Jaime Londoño Rojas and Newson Cheung Sabogal, two Colombian drug traffickers, arrived in Argentina to oversee the cargo and provide instructions to Gabriel Andrés Nicolau, who was later sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Nicolau was responsible for coordinating human, technical, and material resources, with the assistance of José Sofía (aka “Tano”). Sofía’s role involved frequent contact with a European contact known as “El Español” or “The Galician,” who was the intended recipient of the shipments.
Argentina Seizes Nearly 500 Kilos of Cocaine in San lorenzo Port: Your Questions Answered
A major cocaine bust in Argentina has sent shockwaves through law enforcement. This Q&A article provides a detailed look at the seizure, the investigation, and the broader implications for international drug trafficking. We’ll cover the key facts, the players involved, and the methods used to smuggle the illicit cargo. Let’s dive in!
What happened in San Lorenzo, Argentina?
Authorities in Argentina seized nearly 500 kilograms of cocaine aboard a vessel at the Vicentin company pier in San Lorenzo. The ship, flagged under the Marshall Islands, had arrived from Dubai and was reportedly en route to the Netherlands.
How much cocaine was seized, and what’s its estimated street value?
The amount seized is estimated to be nearly 500 kilograms. Initial reports from various sources suggest between 467 and 482 kilograms. The Customs Collection and Control Agency (ARCA) estimates the street value to be approximately $6 million.
Where was the cocaine found on the ship?
The cocaine was discovered in a refrigerator on the merchant ship “CECI,” specifically within a compartment containing food for the crew.
What was the ship’s declared cargo, and where did it originate?
The ship declared its cargo as sunflower pellets. It had traveled from Dubai, making a stop at pontón Arrogante in international waters of the Río de la Plata before arriving in San Lorenzo.
Was the captain involved,and how was the revelation made?
Reports suggest the ship’s captain may have alerted authorities after noticing suspicious bags in the vessel’s refrigeration chambers,although this detail has not been confirmed by officials.The captain is reported to have contacted the shipowner, and then the data was relayed to authorities.
What is the “blind hook” method, and how does it relate to this case?
The “blind hook” method is a technique used to introduce drugs into legitimate cargo. It involves breaking customs seals on containers, inserting the drugs, and resealing the containers with similar seals. While not explicitly mentioned in the initial reports of this specific seizure, the article uses this method to demonstrate a larger problem of drug smuggling within the Rosario region.
What are the major players in this case?
The key entities and individuals in this case include:
- the Ship “CECI”: The vessel where the cocaine was discovered.
- Security Minister Patricia Bullrich: Who is scheduled to provide details about the seizure.
- Claudio Kishimoto: The prosecutor directing the operation.
- Gabriel Andrés Nicolau: Sentenced to 12 years in prison as a coordinator for drug trafficking.
- josé Sofía (aka “Tano”): Assisted Nicolau in coordinating resources.
- “El Español” or “The Galician”: The intended recipient of the cocaine shipments,a European contact.
Where does the investigation stand now?
The investigation’s exact details are undergoing further analysis. Authorities are investigating the origin and destination of the “CECI,” and also potential involvement from crew members and port personnel. The goal is to understand the logistics that brought the drugs to the port.
what are the implications for Argentina and international drug trafficking?
This seizure underscores the ongoing challenges Argentina faces as a hotspot for international drug trafficking. the case also is a reminder of the “blind hook” contamination technique, which may be an indicator of port security breaches or collusion.
How is the Rosario region connected to international drug trafficking?
The Rosario region,where san Lorenzo is located,has a history of being a key point in international cocaine smuggling operations. This seizure reinforces the need for a coordinated international strategy to combat drug trafficking.
Can you summarize the key events timeline surrounding the Seizure?
| Date/Time | Event |
|---|---|
| Unknown, Before Arrival | Ship “CECI” travels from Dubai, with a stop at Pontón arrogante. |
| Early, Incident Identified | Captain possibly alerts shipowner and appropriate authorities about suspicious cargo. |
| Unknown, after Arrival | Customs agents discover packages in REfrigerator and anti-narcotics dogs are deployed. |
| Current | Investigation Ongoing. Security Minister, Patricia Bullrich holds press conference, directed by prosecutor Claudio Kishimoto.21 Filipino Nationals, according to reports. |
What role do Colombian drug traffickers play, as mentioned in the article?
The article mentions Gabriel Jaime Londoño Rojas and Newson Cheung Sabogal, two Colombian drug traffickers, who arrived in Argentina to oversee the cargo and provide instructions to Gabriel Andrés Nicolau, who was later sentenced to 12 years.
What are some of the challenges in stopping this type of smuggling?
Some challenges in stopping drug smuggling include the use of complex concealment methods, collusion between criminals and port officials, and the involvement of far-reaching international criminal organizations.
Where can I find updates on this story?
You can find ongoing updates through reputable news sources such as AP, Infobae, and other Argentinian media outlets.They offer detailed reporting as the investigation unfolds.
Disclaimer: This article is based on the provided text and should not be taken as a definitive legal or investigative report. It is intended for informational purposes only.