National Police seek expanded raid powers to combat crime

Rigoberto Oseguera Mass, Director of the National Police, is seeking to expand the agency's capacity to conduct raids against organized criminal structures. He highlighted that under Decree 84-2026, authorities would be able to enter territories controlled by criminal groups to perform arrests and dismantle operations.

Oseguera Mass is currently awaiting approval from the National Council for Defense and Security (CNDS) for a state of exception. This would allow police to conduct operations during nighttime hours, as current regulations restrict raids to the window between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Additionally, the director expressed a desire for legislative reforms that would facilitate the arrest of individuals with serious criminal records without requiring a judicial warrant, provided legal requirements are met.

To ensure legal compliance, the police intend to maintain close communication with prosecutors from the Public Ministry. This coordination aims to ensure that arrests are processed correctly and that detainees are presented before a judge within the 24-hour legal limit.