The investigative and litigation efforts by the Narcotics Crimes Prosecution team led to significant outcomes in combating narcotics-related offenses from January 2 to 10, 2024.

In this regard, an arrest warrant and pretrial detention were ordered for Billy Alejandro López Yuque and Dehiler Hubery López Ordóñez for the offense of promotion and encouragement. López Yuque was apprehended during a search operation in Escuintla, where illicit substances were found. López Ordóñez, a prison guard, was arrested on January 6 after drug ready for retail sale was discovered during a vehicle inspection.

Likewise, evidence presented to the relevant jurisdictional bodies resulted in the criminal prosecution of Douglas Emanuel Méndez González for the offense of promoting or encouraging drug addiction, and Bryan Estev Molina García and Cristian Alexander Aguilar Gómez for offenses related to promoting drug addiction and illegal possession of civilian and/or sporting firearms. All three were arrested in procedures conducted in Mazatenango, Suchitepéquez.

Sent to trial based on evidence provided by the prosecution, Rodillo Antonio Nieto Rizzoto and Henry Antonio Josué Vásquez Navarrete face charges of facilitating means. They were arrested in Pajapita, San Marcos, with several drug packages found in their vehicle.

Finally, Ever Osbelí García Galindo and Manuel María Sical Rosales will go through a public and oral trial for the offense of promotion and encouragement. They were captured in Quiché after it was established that they were transporting drugs.

In terms of convicting sentences, the prosecution secured a 12-year prison term and a fine of Q50,000 against María Angélica Serrato Cortez de la Cruz, Fredy Augusto de la Cruz Polanco, and Johathan de Jesús Duarte de la Rosa for the crime of illicit commerce, trafficking, and storage. They were apprehended during an inspection in San Antonio, Suchitepéquez, where drugs, firearms, and ammunition were found.

Additionally, the prosecution obtained guilty verdicts against the following individuals in separate cases:

– Five year imprisonment and a fine of Q10,000 against Douglas José Saquic Menchú for the offense of cultivation. He must also pay Q60,000 in civil reparations. The defendant was apprehended during a search operation in Quetzaltenango.

– Five years of imprisonment for Anderson Alberto López López, for offenses related to promoting drug addiction (2) and illegal possession of ammunition (3). He was arrested in Guatemala after drugs and ammunition were found.

– Three years imprisonment and a fine of Q5,000 against Ricardo Chochom Pelico for the offense of promoting drug addiction. Additionally, he must pay Q2,000 for dignified reparation. The defendant was arrested during an inspection in Retalhuleu.

– Two years imprisonment and a fine of Q5,000 against Antonio Esquivel Elvira for the offense of promoting drug addiction. He was apprehended during an inspection in Flores, Petén. Furthermore, he must pay Q465 for dignified reparation to the Volunteer Firefighters of San Benito in that department.

– Two years imprisonment for Axel David Muy Maldonado for the offense of promoting drug addiction. He was arrested during an inspection of the vehicle where drugs and cash were located.

– Finally, through a plea deal, the prosecution obtained a guilty verdict against Héctor René León Morales for the offense of conspiracy. He received a three-year prison sentence with a 50% reduction and a one-year commutable sentence for the offense of self-concealment, also reduced by 50%. He must pay Q338,845.90 for dignified reparation. According to the prosecution, the defendant is linked to a criminal organization dedicated to drug trafficking.

Guatemala, January 22, 2023