More than
800 police officers
, prosecutors, judges and judicial assistants surrounded one of the main
dangerous neighborhoods of Godoy Cruz
, in Mendoza, in an
unprecedented anti-drug operation
and in search of criminals with a record.
Campo Papa, a historic populous neighborhood in the west of Godoy Cruz, was the target of an unusual operation this Tuesday, in an attempt to send a signal against the
drug dealing
that exists in Mendoza, almost like a
mirror
reaction to the serious situation. from Rosario.
Mendoza's Security Minister, Mercedes Rus, said it was a "successful" operation.
It began in the early hours of this Tuesday and the result, according to official information, was:
40 raids
on homes in the area and the
arrest of 63 people
(54 men and 9 women).
In the
door-to-door searches of the neighborhood,
30 weapons
were seized,
including short, long and tumberas.
"Since the implementation of the new Penal Code, such a large operation has not been carried out, covering an entire neighborhood that has 500 houses," said the Minister of Security.
The spectacular nature of the police and judicial procedure was highlighted by the head of prosecutors Alejandro Gullé himself: "It has been
more than 34 years since something like this was done
in Mendoza," he said, during the operation.
Gullé responded to criticism from neighbors because they
searched the backpacks
of the children who went to school.
"The entire procedure is legal, we have to prevent them from taking weapons out of a bag," he stated.
Everything was managed from an operations center called “mobile CEO”,
a police truck
was parked after 6 in the morning, near a school.
From there, the work of the
drones
that were collecting information was monitored, which was transferred to the motorized agents, the fight against drug trafficking and special forces that were deployed in Campo Papa and other smaller and neighboring neighborhoods, such as the Covitedyc.
Mega anti-drug operation in Godoy Cruz: there were more than 40 raids in a neighborhood.
Photo Orlando Pelichotti
The area was surrounded by provincial police, who did not allow residents to enter or exit.
They were searched and
ID was requested
before leaving was authorized.
Locals' cars were searched and vehicle documentation was requested.
Many chose to stay in their homes and
barely look out the windows
.
Four prosecutors and two
Guarantee judges
participated .
Attorney Gullé said that it was a “fact that demonstrated fantastic institutionality.”
And when asked about the comparison with Rosario, he commented: "This was part of a
work of many months, it is not improvisation
. "We want to avoid what happens in other provinces."
"The mega-operation is the product of an investigation that has been going on for a few months," government sources told
Clarín
, although the Rosario effect - which they deny has driven the Mendoza raids - gives a topical anchor to the deployment.
The balance of the megaoperation in Mendoza and the Rosario effect
The Minister of Security of Mendoza praised the fact that the national government is getting involved in the drug problem in Rosario: "There is no
possible comparison between Rosario and Mendoza
, we do see similar situations in some places in the north of the country, that is why I am glad there is a minister like ( Patricia) Bullrich who is taking care of the issue, so that it does not spread."
Mega anti-drug operation in the Campo Papa neighborhood of Godoy Cruz, Mendoza. Photo Orlando Pelichotti
Rus assured that the Army's action in the Cuyo province is not necessary: "We are fine working with the provincial security forces."
In the afternoon, a post by Governor
Alfredo Cornejo
(JxC) summarized the intended objective: "In Mendoza,
criminals are imprisoned
, we kidnap illegal weapons and drugs are burned. Today we carried out a comprehensive mega-operation between the Police, the Judiciary and the Public Prosecutor's Office. The result was: more than 60 detainees, nearly 30 weapons and drugs seized."
In Mendoza, criminals are imprisoned, we seize illegal weapons and drugs are burned.
Today we carried out a mega comprehensive security operation between the Police, the Judiciary and the Public Prosecutor's Office.
The result was: more than 60 detainees, nearly 30 weapons and seized drugs.
pic.twitter.com/GuBXR755ZF
— Alfredo Cornejo (@alfredocornejo) March 12, 2024
The Public Prosecutor's Office expanded in the
balance
of the operation that
six of the detainees
were wanted for
homicides
, another
twelve
were arrested for
possession of firearms
and
18
more, with
other "measures pending"
with Justice.
There were no details on the amount of drugs seized.
Mendoza. Correspondent
D.S.