Entre Ríos silica sand extraction faces $5.6 billion peso evasion allegation

A criminal complaint has been filed in Entre Ríos, Argentina, alleging a potential tax evasion of approximately $5.6 billion pesos related to silica sand extraction. Environmental lawyer Ricardo Luciano, representing the Ibicuy Water Cooperative, submitted the complaint following discrepancies in reported extraction volumes.

According to the allegations, provincial authorities reported the inspection of 1.5 million tons of sand, generating roughly $3.3 billion pesos in revenue. However, Luciano claims that approximately 4.05 million tons were actually transported to Vaca Muerta during 2025. This discrepancy suggests a shortfall of 2.5 million tons, leading to the estimated $5.6 billion peso evasion.

The complaint also raises environmental concerns regarding the extraction process within the Paraná Delta ecosystem, a protected wetland under both national and provincial laws, as well as the Ramsar Convention. After a federal judge in Gualeguaychú declared himself incompetent to handle the case, the file was transferred to the Public Prosecutor's Office in Paraná.