Boca Juniors forward Carlos Palacios is facing a judicial inquiry in Chile as part of a sweeping police operation targeting an organized drug trafficking network, according to the Chilean newspaper Emol. While authorities have not formally indicted the former Internacional and Vasco da Gama player, investigators are probing the connection of a vehicle and a residential property linked to the athlete.
The Police Operation and Seizures
The investigation gained widespread public attention following the arrest of Sebastián Guerra Soto, who is the father-in-law of Palacios. According to the Promotoria Metropolitana Sul, Guerra Soto is identified as one of the alleged leaders of a criminal organization known as “Los Pájaros.” During the raid, law enforcement authorities seized more than a ton of illicit substances, alongside firearms, various vehicles, and substantial amounts of cash.
The total value of the confiscated items exceeds 18 billion Chilean pesos, which translates to approximately R$ 99 million at current exchange rates, based on reporting from Emol. Investigators detained Guerra Soto while he was operating a Mercedes-Benz vehicle registered under Palacios’s legal name. Law enforcement officials suspect that this specific automobile was utilized in the transportation of narcotics.
Property Links and Financial Scrutiny
In addition to the vehicle seizure, judicial authorities executed search warrants on multiple properties connected to the suspects. Police searched a residence rented by the daughter of Guerra Soto, where officers recovered additional quantities of drugs and firearms. According to the investigation, the lease for this specific property was financed by the Boca Juniors attacker.
While Palacios remains outside the formal indictment list released by prosecutors, judicial teams continue to examine the exact nature of the asset sharing. The inquiry centers on how property registered to or funded by a professional athlete intersected with the logistics of an alleged multi-million-peso trafficking ring.
Did you know?
The operation against “Los Pájaros” resulted in the seizure of over one ton of drugs, firearms, vehicles and dinheiro em espécie.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carlos Palacios facing formal charges?
No. According to Emol, Palacios has not been formally indicted by the Chilean judiciary, though authorities are actively investigating his connection to a vehicle and a property tied to the case.
Who is Sebastián Guerra Soto?
Sebastián Guerra Soto is the father-in-law of Carlos Palacios and is identified by the Promotoria Metropolitana Sul as a suspected leader of the criminal organization “Los Pájaros.”
What was seized during the raids?
Law enforcement authorities seized over a ton of drugs, firearms, cash, and vehicles, with a combined estimated value exceeding 18 billion Chilean pesos (approximately R$ 99 million).
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