Chile detains suspects and seizes assets in two drug‑trafficking network investigations

In the Illapel province, prosecutors formalised 16 people accused of operating a criminal network from the Illapel preventive detention centre. Charges include criminal association, drug trafficking, bribery, money laundering and smuggling prohibited items into the prison. Four gendarmes, two women and one man were ordered into preventive detention, while another gendarme was placed under house arrest and communication bans. The court set a 120‑day period for further investigation.

Separately, police in Melipilla conducted a large raid on a family‑run criminal group. The operation resulted in the seizure of more than 100 million Chilean pesos in cash, two 12‑gauge shotguns, a Glock pistol, ammunition, and six vehicles. Nine people were detained, and four were formally charged with drug‑trafficking and weapons offences. Investigators have a 100‑day deadline to continue the case.