Paraguay's Public Prosecutor's Office has continued investigations into the illegal trafficking of nearly 22 kilograms of gold seized at Silvio Pettirossi International Airport in Asunción. Forensic geologists from Brazil's Federal Police, brought in through international legal cooperation, are conducting technical analyses to determine the origin of the precious metal and to strengthen the case for smuggling and criminal association.
Coordinated by prosecutors Alejandro Cardozo and Francisco Cabrera, the work began in the Paraguayan capital, where experts accessed the security vault of the National Development Bank (BNF) to take samples from the gold bars under judicial custody. The team then traveled to Paso Yobái, in the department of Guairá, one of the country's main gold mining regions. With judicial authorization, samples of native gold were collected in the mining area for laboratory comparison.
According to the prosecutor's office, the scientific tests will seek to establish the purity, geological origin, and exact commercial value of the seized metal. The results will be crucial to confirm whether the cargo actually left Paraguayan territory and to reconstruct the route used by the criminal structure.
The case began in November last year, when an intelligence operation at Silvio Pettirossi International Airport thwarted the irregular shipment of 21 kilograms and 960 grams of gold, distributed in bars and preliminarily valued at about US$ 3 million. According to investigators, the cargo was destined for Panama and allegedly passed through several airport security checks with the supposed complicity of local employees.
Currently, several people have been indicted for smuggling and criminal association. The Public Prosecutor's Office continues investigations to identify the main leaders of the organization and to confirm the origin and route of the seized metal.