Mrs. María Consuelo Porras Argueta, Attorney General of the Republic and Chief of the Public Ministry, led the first quarterly working meeting of 2025 for the Interinstitutional Center Against Drug Trafficking in Guatemala (CICNAG).

Officials from the Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of National Defense, Superintendency of Tax Administration (SAT), and National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF), institutions that make up CICNAG, participated.

The purpose of the meeting was to follow up on actions against drug trafficking, present the results achieved in the last quarter, and provide a consolidated report of 2024. Key actions to effectively combat this crime were also discussed.

The meeting reviewed the progress of the tactical table work, as well as the results from the physical office of CICNAG. Additionally, the progress of the Interinstitutional Technological Platform for CICNAG and the “anti-narcotic button” was discussed, along with advancements in the drug trafficking training program for CICNAG personnel.

Representing the Ministry of the Interior, the Fifth Vice Minister (anti-narcotics), Werner Ovalle Ramírez, and from the Sub-Directorate of Anti-Narcotic Information Analysis (SGAIA) of the National Civil Police, Wuilmer Arreaga participated. Representing the Ministry of National Defense were the Chief of the General Staff, General of Division Hermelindo Choz Soc, the Director of Intelligence of the General Staff, Colonel of Infantry DEM, Gerardo Elí Orozco, and Juan José Cifuentes from the Directorate of Intelligence of the General Staff.

From the SAT, Superintendent Marco Livio Díaz and Edwin Curtidor Juárez, Customs Intendant, attended. Representing INACIF, Dr. Ingrid Johana Romero Escribá, Director General, was present.

The Public Ministry was represented by First Deputy Secretary General, Erick Eduardo Schaeffer Cabrera, Metropolitan Regional Prosecutor of National Coordination, Dimas Jiménez y Jiménez, Nelly Yadira Morataya Aguilar, and Beatriz López Aguilar, Section Prosecutor and Assistant Section Prosecutor for the Drug Trafficking Crimes Prosecutor’s Office, respectively. Juan Luis Pantaleón, Advisor to the Superior Office, also participated.

Other attendees included the coordinator of the Integrated Information Systems Coordination, the head of the Training Unit’s Academic Department, and personnel from the Department of Strategic Criminal Phenomenon Analysis.

2024 Results

The coordinated efforts through CICNAG led to the dismantling of nine criminal structures involved in drug trafficking across different regions of the country in 2024.

Seizures:

• 18,218.09 kg of cocaine
• 1,092.21 grams of marijuana
• 9.71 kg of crack
• 3.40 kg of methamphetamine
• Q3,536,767.61

Additionally, the following were eradicated:

• 2,142,701 marijuana plants
• 5,541,611 coca bush plants
• 1,490,240 opium poppy plants

Two clandestine laboratories were disabled, seven clandestine airstrips were dismantled, and 16.1 metric tons of chemical precursors were destroyed. One illegal trace was also detected.

These actions dealt a significant blow to drug trafficking, with an economic impact of Q2,736,231,362.69, ensuring effective criminal prosecution and a timely, effective response to the Guatemalan public.

Criminal Prosecution Results:

From January to December 2024, the Public Ministry received 872 complaints, conducted 455 raids, coordinated the arrest of 1,466 individuals, including 18 extradition arrests. Furthermore, 394 first declarations were made, 506 people were charged, 456 conclusive acts were presented, and 378 convictions were achieved.

These and other actions have significantly impacted drug trafficking, ensuring an effective legal response and timely service to the Guatemalan people. The results highlight the commitment of the institutions that make up CICNAG in their coordinated efforts to combat drug trafficking in Guatemala and the region.

Guatemala, February 17, 2025