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The Paraguayan National Directorate of Migration (DNM) prevented over 1,300 irregular departures and recorded 867 cases of foreign nationals being denied entry at borders and airports in the first half of 2026, in addition to cases involving document fraud and individuals wanted internationally.
juniorinterpolThe governments of Paraguay and the United States issued a joint statement denouncing cyber espionage operations against Paraguayan state networks, which they attribute to actors linked to the Chinese government.
chinaThree drones were spotted flying over the Minga Guazú prison, which saw a foiled escape attempt a week ago, prompting police to carry out preventive patrols in the area.
minga-guazualto-paranaTwo plainclothes police officers fled with a stolen car from Brazil that had been located inside the courtyard of the 8th Police Precinct in San Estanislao, Paraguay, after the rental company's lawyer identified the vehicle.
jonathan-gomez-nicolinosan-estanislaosan-pedrovolkswagen-teraA gang in Ciudad del Este has been kidnapping and robbing victims, predominantly Brazilian tourists, after luring them with fake profiles on the Grindr app, in a series of cases with the same modus operandi.
san-rafaelgrindrciudad-del-esterede-globoA police operation to recover a stolen cell phone in the Chacarita neighborhood of Asunción resulted in the arrest of two men and the seizure of drugs and 140 rounds of military-grade ammunition.
la-chacaritaronald-yamil-ortiz-cabralricardo-alberto-lopezisidro-gamarraFollowing the robbery of an armored car in Yataity del Norte, the Public Prosecutor's Office and DNIT seized smartphones and medications lacking proper documentation that were being transported, investigating crimes such as smuggling and tax evasion.
dnityataity-del-norteyrendague-saBrazil's Federal Revenue Service seized 3,500 vials of medication, mostly for weight loss, valued at R$ 320,000 and hidden in the doors of a car on the BR-277 highway in Paraná.
The nephew of Barón Escurra, Édgar Rafael Escurra, was arrested in Amambay along with three other suspects in an operation by Paraguay's National Anti-Drug Secretariat (SENAD). The operation seized drugs, weapons, and vehicles, dismantling the alleged criminal structure he led following his uncle's flight from justice.
senadfelipe-baron-escurraedgar-rafael-escurracapitan-badopedro-juan-caballeroThe U.S. Attorney's Office accuses Sebastián Marset of murdering businessman Mauricio Schwartzman in Asunción and involvement in narco-terrorism, money laundering, and leading a criminal organization.
sebastian-marsetmauricio-schwartzmanParaguay and Colombia strengthen cooperation against drug trafficking and transnational organized crime in meeting led by SENAD.
senadThe U.S. Justice Department has expanded its charges against Uruguayan national Sebastián Marset, leader of the First Uruguay Cartel, to include narco-terrorism and international cocaine trafficking, following his capture in Bolivia and subsequent extradition. Prosecutors allege that he coordinated with the Gulf Clan to ship 1,700 kilograms of cocaine and relied on financial operators such as Federico Santoro Vassallo—who was sentenced to 15 years in prison—to launder the illicit profits through cryptocurrencies and international bank transfers.
sebastian-marsetfederico-santoro-vassalloclan-del-golfoorganized-crime-and-corruption-reporting-projectThe Paraguayan government has completed Operativo Umbral 3.5, transferring 618 inmates to permanently separate convicted prisoners from those awaiting trial, as mandated by the National Constitution.
tacumbuoperativo-umbral-3-5emboscadaA cell phone seized during a search in San Lorenzo may contain money laundering data linked to convicted Clan Rotela leader Armando Javier Rotela Ayala.
clan-rotelaagueda-lorena-miranda-gonzaleznembyarmando-javier-rotela-ayalaSENAD minister Jalil Rachid said Paraguay is no longer a critical cocaine route to Europe and cited seizures and $700 million in losses for organized crime. A UN report points to rising trafficking, while Copolad III's director urged a response based on science, public health and institutional cooperation.
senadjalil-rachidUruguayan drug trafficker Sebastián Marset, imprisoned in the U.S. following his extradition from Bolivia, alleged in a letter to a federal judge that two American agents attempted to extort the password to his cryptocurrency wallet, valued at approximately $4 million.
sebastian-marsetorganized-crime-and-corruption-reporting-projectrobert-feiteleugene-rossimichael-padulaProsecutor Ingrid Cubilla led the forensic examination of a Bombardier Challenger 601-3A executive jet seized with 261.6 kg of premium marijuana in Paraguay. The aircraft had departed from Miami and was intercepted at Silvio Pettirossi International Airport during the transfer of the drugs to a pickup truck.
bombardier-challenger-601-3aingrid-cubillaluquerosarito-montaniaThe Supreme Court of Paraguay upheld the conviction of Lieutenant Carlos Coronel to 30 days in prison for fraud, stemming from the misuse of identification cards during a UN mission in Cyprus.
carlos-coronelParaguay formally joined the Santiago Regional Commitment against Transnational Organized Crime in June 2026, during the 56th General Assembly of the OAS in Panama City, expanding the agreement initially signed by Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru.
boliviaruben-ramirez-lezcanochileecuadorperuJudge Lici Teresita Sánchez ordered the seizure and deposit into an account of amounts in guaraníes, reais, and dollars related to Operation Air Box, which dismantled a premium marijuana trafficking network in Asunción and Luque, resulting in the confiscation of money, drugs, and the arrest of those involved.
lici-sanchezever-ramon-suarez-maldonadoThe department of Alto Paraná has established itself as the main stage for major heists in Paraguay over the past twelve years, with criminal organizations adopting paramilitary tactics inspired by the "Nuevo Cangaço," including the most recent attack in Santa Rita, where around 20 criminals stole approximately 3 billion guaraníes from banks and exchange houses.
santa-ritaalto-paranaproseguritapuaBrazilian authorities seized explosive material with a detonating cord on Friday night, believed to have been used in the June 16 mega bank robbery in Santa Rita, Paraguay, during a joint operation in the border area that led to the arrest of two suspects and their transfer to the Federal Police in Foz do Iguaçu.
santa-ritaThe Federal Highway Police made the largest rifle seizure in its history by intercepting a truck on BR-277 in Santa Terezinha de Itaipu carrying 25 rifles, 16 pistols, over 5,000 rounds of ammunition, and 127 magazines. The 28-year-old driver was arrested and handed over to the Federal Police on charges of international arms trafficking.
foz-do-iguacusanta-terezinha-de-itaipuminas-geraisParaguay's Interior Minister Enrique Riera has proposed adopting a Brazilian bank security system that destroys cash during robberies by cutting and saturating bills with security ink when a forced entry into vaults is detected.
enrique-riera