The Alta Verapaz District Prosecutor’s Office, in coordination with the National Civil Police, conducted 50 raids and seizure operations on Saturday, November 18, in properties located in the departments of Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Jutiapa, Santa Rosa, and Suchitepéquez.

The operation, named «Operation against Extortion Las Verapaces,» was carried out as part of an investigation into extortion, allegedly involving personnel from the Penitentiary System, inmates, and civilians. As a result, the following 34 individuals were apprehended:

1.Marta Alicia Chen Cabnal
2. Osman Joaquín Arce Cruz
3. Marta Alicia Coy Tun
4. Mireya Karla Macz Chen
5. Catalina May Si
6. María Carmelina Bachan Sis
7. Heidi Marleny Cal Gualib
8. Ventura Tuch Ajtzip
9. Ana Cristina Botzoc Ochoa
10. Darlin Surama Castro Tala
11. Carlos Geovany Choc Chen
12. Emerson Alexander Caal Coc
13. Juanita Maricelda Yupil Coc de Botzoc
14. Joselyn Gabriela Michel Cuz Ventura
15. Maria Waleska Reyes Leal
16. Elvis Alexander David Sagüí Carlos
17. Katherine Michelle Wellmann Milián
18. Juan Antonio Cu Pacay
19. Claudia Maritza Paau
20. Antonia García de Teletor
21. Aura Clemencia Aragón Vargas
22. Zenaida Haydée Sagastume Portocarrero
23. Joselin Gabriela González García
24. Josefa Ventura Sic
25. Irma Sub Cuz
26. Germán Epifanio Lucía Chub
27. Selvin Alexander Poou Pop
28. Melani Rebeca Vaides Córdoba
29. Albertina Hub
30. Juana Acte Icó Cacao
31. Ervin Armando Chub Rey
32. Dulce Reyna Ester Reyes López
33. Ventura Tuch Ajtzip
34. Sorayda López

#Actualización #OperativoContraExtorsionesLasVerapaces continúa en desarrollo. Preliminarmente se reportan varias capturas de personas presuntamente involucradas en el cobro de extorsiones. https://t.co/bmx3Qf7nk4 pic.twitter.com/vDUjJfbTAc

— MP de Guatemala (@MPguatemala) November 18, 2023

The arrest of 10 security agents of the Preventive Detention Center for Men in Cobán was also coordinated, being:

1. Romualdo Chub Mucú
   2. Hermetismo Pérez Coc
   3. Efraín Sagüí Luc
   4. Francisco Alonso Mateo López
   5. Carlos Choc Coc
   6. Fredy David Castillo Martínez
   7. Blanca Judith Sarpec Lajuj
   8. Mira Catalina Ixpatá Mejía
   9. Magda Leticia Baten Chacón
   10. Lorenza Ismael Vásquez

Additionally, a search was conducted in the prison facility, and arrest warrants were notified for 18 inmates.

During the operations, a firearm, 30 cell phones, a camera, five SIM cards, savings account books, checkbooks, deposit slips from various banks, a USB drive, microSD cards, Q6,650.00 in cash, and a motorcycle were seized, among other evidence that will contribute to strengthening the investigation.

The Prosecutor’s Office of Alta Verapaz, located in Cobán, determined that during the years 2020 and 2021, the second most prevalent extortion method was known as «talacha.» Through the analysis of criminal activity, a total of 47 complaints related to this method were identified during this period.

It was found that when a man is detained and enters a section of the Preventive Detention Center for Men in Cobán, the sector leader and their associates demand the new inmate’s family phone number to extort payment for the so-called «talacha» extortion scheme.

Upon having the telephone number, they make constant calls and send messages demanding payment of the «talacha» from the inmate’s family to prevent physical harm. Later, during negotiations, the extortionists inform the relatives that the longer it takes to obtain the extortion money, the more punishments or physical aggressions the incarcerated person will endure. Using psychological pressure, they force the victim to communicate with their relatives to request payment.

When the victim’s family agrees to pay the «talacha,» they receive different bank account numbers associated with a financial institution from the extortionists. These details are sent through instant messaging applications (WhatsApp) and text messages on the telephone network.

Upon making the «talacha» payment, the extortionists demand photographs of the bank deposit. If they are not satisfied with the deposited amount, they demand additional money. The involvement of personnel from the Cobán Men’s Preventive Detention Center in this crime has been established.

November 20, 2023