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Criminal Gang Dismantled in La Araucanía for Multi-Million Dollar Timber Theft

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•Three suspects remanded in custody after operation at Forestal Mininco property, with loot valued at $133 million.

In an operation conducted by Carabineros, three individuals were remanded in custody accused of being part of a criminal organization that illegally occupied a forestry property and stole timber worth approximately 133 million pesos. The police action, which took place last Wednesday, caught the suspects in the act of carrying out illegal forestry activities in the commune of Collipulli.

Since July 2023, the accused, along with others still unidentified, allegedly formed a criminal group to enter the "Manuel Rodríguez" property, owned by Forestal Mininco, to extract, process, and sell timber. In addition to resource theft, the suspects illegally occupied the land, constructing structures and using machinery without authorization.

High Complexity Prosecutor César Schibar stated that the investigation led to the dismantling of a "business created to commit crimes." During the raid, a shotgun and ammunition were seized from the detainees, adding charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition to the accusations.

General Manuel Cifuentes, Chief of the Carabineros Araucanía Zone, highlighted the seizure of a large amount of machinery and tools used in the illegal timber exploitation. Judge María Fernanda Lagos Lepe ordered preventive detention for O.A.J.P., D.E.A.C., and R.H.S.M., considering them a danger to society. Four other suspects face less severe precautionary measures.

The operation marks a milestone in the fight against organized crime in the region, highlighting the need to continue investigations to identify and capture all those involved in such illicit activities.