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Brazil'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-caballeroParaguay and Colombia strengthen cooperation against drug trafficking and transnational organized crime in meeting led by SENAD.
senadThe 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-schwartzmanThe 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-rieraThe court authorized the forensic examination of eight cell phones seized from suspects involved in the trafficking of 261.6 kg of premium marijuana transported on an executive jet in Paraguay.
rosarito-montaniamarisol-rivasdavid-thomas-wisetroy-anthony-vasquezA group of about 20 heavily armed men simultaneously attacked four financial institutions in Santa Rita, in the Alto Paraná department, using explosives to empty the vaults of two banks, overpowering four police officers, and setting vehicles on fire during their escape. Authorities are investigating the possible involvement of a criminal network made up of Paraguayans and Brazilians, without ruling out the participation of the PCC.
santa-ritagnbuenoalto-paranasanta-rita-cambiosThe Ministry of the Interior and the National Police of Paraguay announced the opening of 1,000 spots for the 2027 admissions process at the Police College "Sgto. Aydte. José Merlo Saravia," following protests by young applicants and their families against the possible suspension of the call due to a lack of budget. The decision was reversed after a dialogue session with authorities and representatives of the applicants.
International political analyst Héctor Sosa Gennaro stated that Paraguay is falling behind in strategy, training, and technology to confront transnational criminal factions such as the PCC and the Comando Vermelho, both designated by the United States as global terrorist organizations, and criticized the lack of concrete results from the cooperation agreement signed in March between Presidents Santiago Peña and Donald Trump.
pcccomando-vermelhohector-sosa-gennarodonald-trumpJudicial clerk Antonia Galeano, a defendant in the so-called Ankle Bracelet Mafia case, will remain under house arrest but without an electronic ankle monitor, as she can no longer afford the equipment, according to a ruling by Judge Humberto Otazú.
antonia-galeanosan-lorenzomarcelo-fabian-pena-mancuelloconcepcion-penaThe Court of Asunción has definitively confiscated an aircraft carrying 265 kg of cocaine and sentenced Bolivian pilot Lucio Paz Fernández to 14 years and Peruvian copilot Elmer Figueroa Paredes to 13 years in prison for international drug trafficking.
federico-rojaselmer-enrique-figueroa-paredesrossana-maldonadolucio-alfonzo-paz-fernandezA gang disguised as Dinatran agents stole a shipment of the drug tirzepatide in Luque, Paraguay, and attempted to kidnap Chinese businessman Jin Xiaodi, a suspect in an international fraud case, in a foiled attack near Silvio Pettirossi Airport.
luquejin-xiaodi