# Vehicle theft and drug trafficking recovery in South Am > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/vehicle-and-property-theft-recovery-in-south-america > Updated: 2026-09-20T22:47:38.000Z. Sources: 36. Developments: 5. Law enforcement operations in Argentina and Paraguay continue to target vehicle theft, extortion, and drug trafficking. In Argentina, recent vehicle-related incidents include a car break-in in Comodoro Rivadavia where thieves used stolen bank cards for unauthorized purchases, and the recovery of a Kawasaki motorcycle following extortion attempts via WhatsApp. In Goya, Corrientes, a 21-year-old was detained with a bicycle of unverified origin, while a disassembled Zanella motorcycle was recovered in General Villegas. Recent investigations have highlighted the use of sophisticated methods in thefts. In Villa Mercedes, police recovered a stolen mobile phone after a victim discovered an unauthorized transfer from their Mercado Pago account. In Presidencia Roque Sáenz Peña, a 29-year-old man was arrested for a theft at a service station in Machagai, where a suspect allegedly used a “signal jammer” to bypass a vehicle’s alarm system to steal 2.8 million pesos from a Toyota SW4. Newer reports indicate a rise in identity-based fraud. In Buenos Aires, the Federal Police dismantled a gang that used stolen personal data to impersonate legitimate customers to purchase mobile phones. Other recent Argentine incidents include the arrest of a man in Sarmiento for stealing a running vehicle, the apprehension of four individuals in Rosario following a robbery involving a firearm and a stolen Ford Ranger, and a domestic theft in Las Termas de Río Hondo. In Chubut, a federal investigation titled ‘Plano Maestro’ targeted a cocaine distribution network using delivery services, resulting in five raids and six charges in Comodoro Rivadavia and Rada Tilly. Other regional activities include the recovery of slaughtered livestock and firearms in Villaguay, a jewelry store heist attempt in Trelew, and marijuana seizures in Colón. In Paraguay, anti-narcotics agents previously destroyed marijuana crops in Amambay. ## Claims - The General Directorate of Dangerous Drugs executed judicial raids in Formosa. (corroborated by 2 sources) - More than 790 doses of cocaine were seized in the 7 de Mayo neighborhood raid. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Approximately 123 doses of cocaine were seized in the Antenor Gauna neighborhood raid. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The operations resulted in the arrest of four adults and the detention of one minor. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The investigation was overseen by the Instruction and Correctional Court of the Narcocrime Division. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Customs and Federal Police conducted simultaneous raids in Río Grande targeting suspected smuggling and drug trafficking. (single source) - The raided properties in Río Grande are linked to two individuals of Dominican origin. (single source) - The investigation in Río Grande is under federal jurisdiction and involves potential smuggling and drug trafficking. (single source) - Federal police conducted raids in Presidencia Roque Sáenz Peña to investigate merchandise entered into the country without paying customs duties. (single source) - A federal court in Chaco issued the search warrants for the raids in Sáenz Peña. (single source) - Bogotá recorded 2,837 arrests during August operations. (single source) - Five individuals linked to the 'Los Lucifer' gang were captured in the Los Mártires locality. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-20: Misiones Police recover stolen motorcycles and arrest suspects Police in Misiones, Argentina, recovered stolen motorcycles and property and arrested several suspects during operations in San Pedro, Posadas, San Vicente, and Campo Viera. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/misiones-police-recover-stolen-motorcycles-and-arrest-suspects ### 2026-09-17: Argentina dismantles luxury vehicle theft ring Argentine authorities dismantled a criminal gang that stole luxury vehicles in Córdoba and Tucumán to smuggle them into Bolivia for sale or drug exchange. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentina-dismantles-luxury-vehicle-theft-ring ### 2026-08-23: Vehicle thefts and extortion reported in Argentina, Mexico, and Ecuador Police in Argentina, Mexico, and Ecuador have responded to various crimes, including vehicle thefts, extortion attempts involving motorcycles, and the seizure of vehicles with altered identification numbers. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/police-recover-stolen-motorcycles-in-separate-argentine-investigations ### 2026-08-21: Argentina police conduct widespread raids against drug trafficking and forgery Argentine police have conducted widespread operations across the country, dismantling drug networks in Buenos Aires and Santa Fe, busting a large-scale ID forgery ring, and seizing contraband. 20 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/police-recover-stolen-vehicles-and-property-in-paraguay-and-argentina ### 2026-08-08: Police recover stolen motorcycles in Añatuya and Corrientes Police in Añatuya and Corrientes, Argentina, recovered multiple stolen motorcycles, including a vehicle wanted by Buenos Aires authorities since 2019. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/police-recover-stolen-motorcycles-in-aatuya-and-corrientes --- Cite as: Vehicle theft and drug trafficking recovery in South Am. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/vehicle-and-property-theft-recovery-in-south-america