Chumbivilcas illegal mining investigation leads to preventive detention

A Peruvian court has ordered nine months of preventive detention for four individuals investigated for aggravated illegal mining in Chumbivilcas. The suspects, identified as Gabriel Solano Palomino Fernández, Alex Jonathan Quispe Asencio, Óscar Donato Cconislla Ollachica, and Ángel Fortunato Soncco Llaique, were apprehended during an operation in the Colquemarca district.

The investigation follows an intervention in the Choccoyo sector that involved the National Police, the Public Ministry, and the Local Water Authority. Authorities identified three mining camps and seized seven units of heavy machinery, six motorcycles, three water pumps, and several mineral washing structures.

The operation revealed open-pit extraction activities and the removal of mineralized material, which caused damage to water sources and riverbeds near the Ccasccamayo River. The judge cited the severity of the environmental damage and the risk of flight or obstruction of justice as reasons for the detention, which is set to expire in June 2027.