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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [CRIME]

2 clusters · 7 sources · 1 days · First seen · Last updated

Corruption investigation into Paraguay SENAD director

Overview

Hugo Derlis Baptista Báez, the former director of Paraguay’s National Anti-Drug Secretariat (SENAD), has been ordered to undergo preventive detention at the Viñas Cué military prison following his voluntary surrender.

Prosecutors allege Baptista Báez was involved in a corruption and institutional protection network linked to the ‘Clan Gomes’ criminal organization. Specifically, he is accused of leaking sensitive information and facilitating the escape of drug trafficker Ronaldo Mendes Nunes during ‘Operation Sanctus’ in December 2023. The investigation, which utilized data from the phone of the late legislator Eulalio Gomes, suggests the clan maintained a protection scheme involving members of the police, prosecution, and SENAD.

A judge rejected the defense’s request for house arrest, citing Baptista Báez’s high risk of flight due to his Brazilian documentation and the potential for him to obstruct justice by influencing witnesses or altering documents given his former high-ranking position.

Entities

Osmar Legal · Pablo Leiva · SENAD · Dirección General de Represión al Tráfico Ilícito de Drogas · Ronaldo Mendes Nunes

Timeline

  1. 5 days ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources
    Hugo Baptista Báez ordered to prison over alleged SENAD corruption

    Former SENAD director Hugo Baptista Báez has been ordered into preventive detention in Paraguay for alleged links to the ‘Clan Gomes’ criminal network and facilitating the escape of a drug trafficker.

  2. 5 days ago

    [CRIME] 5 sources
    Uruguayan political advisor sentenced for money laundering and drug trafficking

    Pablo Leiva, an advisor to Uruguayan National Party councilman Gonzalo Gómez, was sentenced to 2.5 years for money laundering and ammunition trafficking following a major drug seizure.

Sources

bairesparatodos.com.ar · elnacional.com.py · ladiaria.com.uy · losprimeros.tv · quatroges.com.uy · semanarioactualidad.com.ar · ultimahora.com