In a press conference held on December 17, 2024, Attorney General and Chief of the Public Ministry, Mrs. María Consuelo Porras Argueta, announced the execution of the transnational operation “Drip by Drip.” This operation led to the arrest of 11 individuals—three Colombians and eight Guatemalans—and the dismantling of a criminal organization involved in illegal lending practices.

The Public Ministry, with support from the National Civil Police, conducted 166 search and seizure operations across 17 departments in the country. The detainees are accused of crimes including usury, money laundering, illicit association, and human trafficking.

Seized Items:

• Q626,741
• $2,000 USD
• 40 cell phones
• 9 firearms
• Marijuana
• Credit issuance receipts
• International transfer vouchers, primarily to Colombia

Additionally, two Colombian nationals with irregular immigration status were referred to the Guatemalan Migration Institute.

Mrs. Porras Argueta emphasized the growing threat posed by illegal lenders to the social and economic peace of Guatemalans, stating, “As Attorney General, I want to be clear and emphatic: we will not tolerate these acts; we will not allow our people to continue being victims of such crimes, and today’s action is an example of this.”

Prosecutor Byron Orellana explained that the investigation, led by the Prosecutor’s Office Against Transnational Crimes, began in February following a complaint. It was determined that the criminal network facilitated the entry of Colombians and allegedly regularized their immigration status. These individuals were distributed throughout the country to carry out illicit activities.

The organization established specific routes to inject cash into the national financial system. The funds were used for the organization’s operations and sent abroad through remittances and/or transfers, employing low-amount patterns to evade financial controls.

Mrs. Porras Argueta highlighted the increasing number of complaints reflecting the distress of families trapped in cycles of usury, threats, and abuse. She stated, “These illegal lenders exploit the vulnerability of the most needy, subjecting people to extortion and violence. These crimes not only affect the financial stability of the victims but also represent a serious violation of the population, and as Attorney General, I cannot tolerate it.”

She concluded by assuring victims, “We are here for you; you have a Public Ministry that ensures the law is upheld and will spare no effort to bring justice to crime victims.”

This operation underscores the commitment of Guatemalan authorities to combat criminal organizations exploiting vulnerable populations through predatory lending practices.

Guatemala, December 17, 2024