Prosecutors have launched a series of technical forensic tests on the nearly 22 kilos of gold seized in November last year at Silvio Pettirossi Airport in Asunción. The inquiry seeks to determine whether the precious metal was extracted from deposits located in Paso Yobái, Guairá department.
Prosecutors Alejandro Cardozo and Francisco Cabrera are coordinating the examinations, which have the collaboration of geologist experts from the Brazilian Federal Police, brought in through international legal cooperation. Samples were taken from the ingots — held in custody in the vault of the Banco Nacional de Fomento (BNF) — and also from native gold in the Paso Yobái mining area, for laboratory analysis.
The scientific tests are expected to establish the purity, geological origin and exact commercial value of the shipment, whose final destination was Panama. The investigation is looking into the crimes of smuggling, passive bribery and criminal association. Charged are Gustavo Ismael Britos Orlando, former head of airport security, and passengers Aquiles José Andrés Denis Di Lascio and Fernando Antonio Peralta Zaván.
On another front, the National Gambling Commission (CONAJZAR), under the National Directorate of Tax Revenues, carried out a series of raids on clandestine betting and gambling venues in the department of Amambay. The establishments were unlicensed and operated outside the regulatory system. Computer equipment, mobile devices, digital evidence and vehicles were seized.
The operations, carried out by the Directorate against Economic and Financial Crimes of the National Police in coordination with the Public Prosecutor's Office, represent one of the first procedures under Law No. 7,438/25, which strengthens institutional coordination against illegal gambling. CONAJZAR stressed that combating these activities is a priority, not only because of the impact on tax revenue, but also due to possible links with money laundering and organized crime.