An early-morning police operation on Friday in Ypejhú, Canindeyú, resulted in the arrest of a suspect and the seizure of 222 kilograms of meat, a vehicle, a rifle, and machetes, according to a report from 1000 Noticias.
The operation, led by Commissioner Ovidio Larrea of the 6th Police Station in Ypejhú, took place around 04:00 on a rural road connecting the city with the Pypucú indigenous colony. Officers on patrol in vehicle M-60, including Sub-Officer Major Ariel Acosta and Sub-Officer Major Juan Maidana, spotted a car moving suspiciously.
When the occupants noticed the police, they abandoned the car with the engine running and fled into a dark area, leaving behind evidence. Inside the trunk, officers found a large quantity of meat, believed to be from clandestine slaughter. In the back seat, they discovered a .22 caliber Marlin rifle and three machetes allegedly used in the crime.
Minutes later, Saúl Casco Garrido, 23, of the San Isidro neighborhood in Ypejhú, arrived on a motorcycle without documents. He claimed ownership of the abandoned car and stated that among those who fled were his brother and other relatives. Police then arrested him and took him to the station.
The case was reported to prosecutor Néstor Narváez of the Specialized Unit Against Abigeato in Curuguaty, who ordered the suspect transferred to the 5th Police Station in Curuguaty. The seized meat remains at the 6th Police Station pending identification of victims, while the vehicle and other evidence will be sent to the Public Ministry.
Police have not ruled out further arrests as they continue to search for the other suspects who escaped.