In order to inform the public about the various actions and decisive results achieved in 2025, the Interinstitutional Center Against Narcotics in Guatemala (CICNAG) held a press conference today, led by Mr. Ángel Pineda, Secretary General of the Public Ministry.

He was accompanied by Mr. Dimas Jiménez, Metropolitan Regional Prosecutor; Mrs. Nelly Morataya and Mrs. Beatriz López, section and deputy section prosecutors of the Narcotrafficking Crimes Prosecutor’s Office, respectively; Commissioner Wilber Arreaga, Deputy Director General of the Narcotics Information Analysis Subdirectorate of the National Civil Police; and Major General Hermelindo Choz Soc, Chief of the General Staff of the National Defense.

The Secretary General emphasized that narcotrafficking is a scourge that affects not only Guatemala but the entire region. For this reason, the Public Ministry, under the leadership of Mrs. María Consuelo Porras Argueta, “reaffirms our commitment to continue combating this crime with determination, which threatens the security, development, and peace of our communities.”

Mr. Dimas Jiménez pointed out that the Public Ministry, in fulfillment of its constitutional mandate through CICNAG, composed of various state institutions from the justice sector, plans and carries out coordinated and joint operations for an effective fight against narcotrafficking, obtaining decisive results in this struggle. He emphasized that since Mrs. María Consuelo Porras Argueta, the Attorney General of the Republic and Chief of the Public Ministry, pushed for the creation of this center, historical results have been achieved, not only against criminal organizations involved in such illicit activities but also against individuals who, to a lesser degree, engage in narcotrafficking-related crimes.

“It is also important to note that every seizure prevents this drug from reaching the final consumer, allowing us to combat or prevent a social health problem,” Mr. Jiménez emphasized.

Mrs. Nelly Morataya outlined that strategies have been implemented and strengthened to combat “drug dealing at a small scale” a narcotrafficking phenomenon that affects not only criminal organizations but also various areas, populations, and communities across the country. The advances achieved and the different operations carried out in the fight against this scourge are therefore crucial.

According to Mrs. Beatriz López, in the first quarter of the year, 9,840.7 kilograms of cocaine, 66.16 kilograms of marijuana, 1.76 kilograms of crack cocaine, and 0.079 kilograms of methamphetamine were seized, all with an estimated value of Q101,289,540.35, along with 8 firearms.

Additionally, cash in different currencies was seized: Q795,493.25, 5,900 Mexican pesos, 20,457 US dollars, and 4,000 Colombian pesos. The dismantling of seven criminal organizations dedicated to narcotrafficking was also achieved.

Regarding eradications, Deputy Director General of Narcotics Information Analysis, Mr. Wilber Arreaga, stated that several positive results have been obtained.

As part of ongoing interinstitutional operations in the fight against narcotrafficking, a total of 256,231 coca plants have been eradicated, valued at Q2,562,310. Additionally, 515,999 marijuana plants were eradicated, with an estimated value of Q193,499,625.

These eradications have taken place in the departments of Petén, Alta and Baja Verapaz, Chiquimula, Izabal, Zacapa, Quetzaltenango, Totonicapán, and San Marcos.

Major General Hermelindo Choz Soc reported that, in the context of interinstitutional support and contributing to the fight against transnational threats, including narcotrafficking, three clandestine airstrips have been disabled in the department of Petén, specifically in the settlements of La Borca, La Gloria, and El Picudo, within the jurisdiction of San Andrés.

As part of the results, it was also mentioned that there have been 70 days without reports of aerial tracks in Guatemalan territory.

Procedural Effectiveness

The Public Ministry, through the Narcotrafficking Crimes Prosecutor’s Office, in compliance with the judicialization and criminal prosecution of criminal activities, has carried out the following actions:

• 598 cases entered
• 305 search warrants requested
• 332 individuals apprehended
• 92 convictions
• 146 sentenced individuals

Top Crimes:

• Illicit trade, trafficking, and storage: 28%
• Promotion or encouragement of drug addiction: 27%
• Planting and cultivation of narcotic-producing plants: 14%
• Promotion and fostering: 12%
• Possession for consumption: 5%

The interinstitutional work carried out jointly by CICNAG has led to decisive results, impacting criminal organizations involved in illicit activities derived from the narcotrafficking phenomenon.

Recently, the Superintendency of Tax Administration and the National Institute of Forensic Sciences joined the effort, and within the scope of their competencies, they will provide information that can be transferred according to the law, thus accelerating investigations and obtaining efficient and effective results.