According to a recent report from the Chilean Investigative Police (PDI), a collaboration with the Metropolitan West Prosecutor’s Office has culminated in the arrest of 17 individuals belonging to a criminal organization. This network specialized in the systematic theft from containers at the Port of San Antonio, using weapons and attacking truck drivers arriving at this terminal.
Minister Luis Cordero, together with the general director Eduardo Cerna and the regional prosecutor Marcos Pastén, shared information about the results of the operation, which included searches at 28 properties distributed between the Metropolitan, Valparaíso, and Maule regions. Cerna emphasized that the criminals used “false documentation” to infiltrate the port and obtain confidential data about the merchandise.
Pastén added that the gang showed a preference for easily marketable products such as appliances, clothing, and televisions. This significant blow to organized crime also resulted in the freezing of 15 bank accounts associated with suspicious transactions that could amount to up to 6 billion pesos.
The arrested individuals will face charges for robbery with intimidation, aggravated theft, money laundering, and illicit association.
