Tarapacá legislators demand accountability after $34 million police substation theft in Colchane

Police officers in the border town of Colchane, Chile, were found to have lost about 34 million Chilean pesos (roughly $34 million) when cash seized in a previous anti‑smuggling operation was stolen from the interior of a Carabineros sub‑station. The money, consisting of $37 000 in US dollars and 800 Bolivian bolivianos, had been stored under police custody for evidence purposes.

Regional deputies and senators denounced the incident as unprecedented, calling for swift investigations, administrative sanctions and a review of internal protocols. Deputy Carlos Carvajal and Senator Renzo Trisotti urged the judiciary to act quickly and demanded accountability for those with access to the funds. Lawmakers also highlighted the poor infrastructure and lack of resources at the remote border post, urging the government to invest in better facilities and technology for Carabineros in Colchane. The investigation is being led by the Tamarugal prosecutor’s office and Carabineros’ internal affairs unit.