After a series of raids, within the framework of an extensive investigation, the Justice managed to dismantle a family clan that illegally extracted gold at more than 4000 meters high in the province of Jujuy. There are 12 detainees.
Police sources reported that high-end vehicles were seized in the operations, among other elements that show a large investment behind the criminal structure.
“He camp, Composed of buildings made of bricks, cement and sheets, it had rooms and a garage to store the VW Amarok vans and Toyota Hilux. Also, with a generator set and internet. “We believe that gold went down on the weekends,” the prosecutor said. Alberto Mendivil, head of the Preparatory Criminal Investigation Unit (IPP) of La Quiaca, during a press conference.
12 people were arrested in the operation. The raids were carried out in La Quiaca, Abra Pampa, Orosmayo, Liviara and one high mountain area.
Illegal gold extraction in Jujuy: those arrested were charged with illicit association, theft and water diversion
Now, Justice is also investigating possible connections with national and international networks. “We believe that there was a financier and it draws our attention that all the vehicles and machinery come from the same company,” warned prosecutor Mendivil.
The representative of Public Ministry He stated that the members of the family They went “from carrying out gold extraction in an artisanal way to an industrial scheme, using advanced logistical resources.”
“They did it with heavy machinery, with loaders and tracked machines. With pick and shovel we advance about 30 meters per day, with machinery, about 300 meters per day. It is impressive because they did everything in the middle of the puna, it is an inaccessible place“, he noted and indicated that the group it would have been operating for approximately two years.
The local media Todo Jujuy reported that the investigation detected values that amount to 60 million pesos, of which “none can prove ownership.” It is believed that behind the maneuver there could be money laundering. In addition, they are investigating diversions of water from a stream in the area, which aggravates the crimes committed by the alleged gang of clandestine miners.
The detainees were charged with illicit association, robbery, judicial disobedience and water diversion. The prosecutor also revealed that The gold extracted was in the form of nuggets.
The classification of the crime of theft is based on the illegal extraction of gold on land granted to a mining company, in this way, they are accused of affecting property rights and regulations of the Mining Code. Finally, they could be classified as an “illicit association” due to the organization and collaboration of the family group to carry out illegal activities in a sustained manner.
“The investigation is still ongoing and it is not ruled out to order new judicial measures or the identification of possible connections with national or international networks.”“Mendivil mentioned and reinforced: “It is a case of great magnitude due to the impact on natural resources and the sophistication with which they operated in an inhospitable area.”
The Special Police Operations Corps (CEOP), Infantry Corps, Provincial Agency for Complex Crimes (APDC) and the La Quiaca Investigation Brigade worked on the operation.
Source: Ambito
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