Aragua Police kill alleged drug offender in shootout

Eliécer Jesús Gil Miranda, known as ‘El Popeye’, died following an armed confrontation with the Aragua State Police (PBA) in the Santiago Mariño municipality of Venezuela.

The incident occurred during a saturation operation conducted by the Criminal Investigation Service (SIP) in the Río Seco community of Rosario de Paya. According to police reports, officers were attacked by a group of armed individuals, prompting security forces to return fire.

Gil Miranda reportedly sought refuge in a residence on 25th Street, where the exchange of gunfire continued. He sustained serious injuries and was transported to a local medical center, where he died shortly after arrival.

Authorities noted that Gil Miranda had a criminal record for drug-related offenses, including a six-year sentence served at the Tocorón Penitentiary. His body has been sent to the National Service of Forensic Medicine and Sciences for autopsy.