News

The Investigative Police (PDI) carried out a large-scale operation in the commune of Curanilahue, Arauco province, Bío Bío region, to dismantle a gang dedicated to timber theft in the area.

At least six homes were raided in different urban and rural areas of the commune, where eight people were arrested, including a well-known local businessman.

During the operation, authorities seized a box of explosives, pistols, ammunition, computers, phones, tax files, and marijuana plants.

The detainees will be transferred to the BIRO headquarters of thePDIin the commune of San Pedro de la Paz and will face justice.

Timber theft is one of the crimes most affecting Arauco province, where constant clashes have been reported between forest landowners and groups illegally extracting the raw material.

The Investigative Police detailed that the eight individuals were arrested for the crimes of Timber Theft, Violation of the Arms Law, and Rural Violence. They also revealed that the raids took place in 6 homes and 2 mining operations in Curanilahue.

The operation led to the seizure of a box of explosives, detonators, 2 9mm pistols, 2 .44 rifles, ammunition of various calibers, cannabis sativa, and $6,890,000 in cash.

According to Radio Bío Bío sources, among those arrested is Carlos Cigarroa Arriagada, a longtime figure in criminal activity in the area—previously accused by the SII (Internal Revenue Service) of causing a fiscal loss of over $300 million, for which he ended up paying a mere $250,000 in an alternative resolution.

The Unit ofInvestigación de BioBioChileanalyzed over a hundred pages from court records, complaints filed by the Internal Revenue Service, confidential prosecution documents, and commercial contracts. These documents outline the profiles of those who—according to the Public Ministry—are behind a long-standing crime.

Source:www.biobiochile.cl