More than 1,200 kilos of smuggled coca leaves were seized as they were being transported, hidden in a shipment of oranges, in a truck on Route 9, as it passed through Campana. Apart from the coca leaves, the truck also carried 20 tons of contraband goods, destined to clandestine workshops in the city of Buenos Aires and Greater Buenos Aires.
Seven people of Argentine, Bolivian and Chilean origin were arrested by members of the Airport Security Police (PSA).
According to sources from the Ministry of National Security, the authorities also detained two cars with people that were in charge of giving the truck support. The vehicles were intercepted near a toll station, after a thorough investigation, the authorities stated.
In total, the authorities seized 1,252 kilos of coca leaves, which is the raw material for the production of cocaine. The shipment entered the country from Bolivia and is now at the disposal of the federal judge, Ariel Lijo. The smuggled goods were also seized, said a spokesman.
The Minister of National Security, Patricia Bullrich, welcomed the operation's result: "We stopped the coca leaves from being turned into cocaine so it won't end up in the hands of children," she said. She also said the federal forces were systematically working to eradicate drug trafficking at all its links.
Source: Noticias Argentinas