# Latin American drug busts expand regionally

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/latin-american-lawenforcement-crackdowns
> Updated: 2026-07-30T20:32:58.000Z. Sources: 114. Developments: 2.

In mid‑July, officials across several Latin American cities began inspections of informal vendors, issuing fines and closing unlicensed stalls. By late July, police shifted to large‑scale raids targeting drug trafficking, arresting dozens and seizing cocaine, methadone, fentanyl, ketamine, firearms and cash in Argentina, Honduras, Chile and other jurisdictions.

The campaign continued into late July 2026, with coordinated operations extending beyond the region. In Mexico’s San Luis Potosí, state guard agents seized 800 g of marijuana and 20 doses of crystal meth, detaining four men. Italian Carabinieri raided an apartment in Frosinone, confiscating a kilogram of cocaine, additional doses and illegal firearms, arresting three suspects. Argentine raids in Morón, Rosario de Lerma, Goya and Río Colorado uncovered hundreds of grams of cocaine and marijuana, cash and phones, leading to multiple arrests and preventive detentions. In Spain’s Palma de Mallorca, a teenager was caught with methadone pills, a fentanyl patch and €500. Honduran police dismantled the “Los Milton” gang, seizing crack, cocaine, cash and a motorcycle. Chilean investigators in Villarrica confiscated nearly a kilogram of ketamine, cocaine and cannabis together with $1.44 million in cash.

These actions illustrate an escalating, coordinated effort by law‑enforcement agencies across Latin America and partner nations to disrupt illicit drug networks, seize narcotics and related assets, and dismantle organized criminal groups.

## Claims

- Luna Suyai Ortigoza was detained by the Buenos Aires Provincial Police in Merlo after being fugitive since 22 May. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- Police seized about 20 small packages of cocaine, a precision balance and cash during Ortigoza's arrest. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- Luna Suyai Ortigoza served as director of the Centro Territorial Integral de Políticas de Género y Diversidad in Morón. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- Mayor Lucas Ghi removed Ortigoza from her post after the investigation began. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- Prosecutors Marisa Monti and Emiliano Rodríguez Reggiani are handling the case before Juzgado de Garantías N.º 1, Morón. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- Ortigoza faces charges of illegal possession and commercialization of narcotics and illegal possession of a firearm. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- Police seized 509 g of cocaine and 26 g of marijuana from Ortigoza’s residence. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- Police also recovered 1.098 kg of cocaine and a .32‑calibre revolver from the home of Ortigoza’s partner Ángel Daniel Paz. (corroborated by 7 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-07-30: Drug busts lead to arrests in Mexico, Argentina, Italy, Spain and Honduras

Police in Mexico, Argentina, Italy, Spain and Honduras seized cocaine, marijuana and other drugs, recovered cash and weapons, and arrested dozens of suspects in coordinated busts.

114 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/former-morn-official-luna-suyai-ortigoza-detained-in-drug-trafficking-case

### 2026-07-13: Latin American authorities crack down on illegal trade and unlicensed businesses

Authorities in Chile, Bolivia, Spain, Peru and other Latin American locales have shut down unlicensed businesses, fined traders, and seized illegal or unsafe goods in a series of enforcement sweeps.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/calama-municipal-inspection-uncovers-illegal-kitchen-and-issues-six-fines

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Cite as: Latin American drug busts expand regionally. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/latin-american-lawenforcement-crackdowns