Agents from the National Anti-Drug Secretariat (SENAD) seized 5,967 kilograms of marijuana and dismantled eight clandestine camps in Colonia Umbú, a rural area of Capitán Bado, in the department of Amambay. The operation also destroyed five hectares of plantations, whose output was estimated at about 15 tons.
According to data released by the teams, 751 kilograms were pressed into 945 blocks, while another 5,216 kilograms consisted of shredded marijuana stored for processing and distribution. Iron presses, guillotines, scales, seeders, sprayers, hydraulic jacks and sieves were also rendered unusable, along with a Honda motorcycle bearing a Brazilian license plate.
A 16-year-old was found at the site and detained during the operation, coordinated by SENAD’s Regional Office in Pedro Juan Caballero. Amambay anti-drug prosecutor Celso Morales said the case reinforces investigative information that drug-trafficking networks recruit minors for processing, sales and surveillance tasks.
The authorities referred the teenager to the relevant agencies and to the Juvenile and Adolescence Court for protection and multidisciplinary follow-up. The minor’s identity was not disclosed.
Agents also found different pressing formats and logos on the packages. Investigators believe the markings may indicate different buyers or destinations in the distribution chain, possibly targeting the Brazilian market, but this interpretation has not yet been presented as a judicial conclusion.
In a separate action at Silvio Pettirossi International Airport, SENAD agents, assisted by sniffer dogs, found 13 kilograms of “VIP” marijuana in a package from the United States. The drug was divided into 37 packages inside a motorcycle stand and placed in bags intended to reduce the odor.
The package was opened at the Palace of Justice in the presence of prosecutor Christian Ortiz. SENAD said it had strengthened the profiling and inspection of shipments after identifying recent attempts to bring this type of narcotic into the country.