Argentine police chief arrested on possession of 50 kilograms of cocaine

2011-05-28 06:01:56 GMT+7 (ICT)

SALTA, ARGENTINA (BNO NEWS) -- Authorities on Friday announced that a police chief was detained while in possession of more than 50 kilograms of cocaine in northern Argentina, El Clarin newspaper reported.

Carlos Gallardo, head of the Intelligence department of the provincial police, and two other people was arrested in Salta province, northern Argentina. The suspects were detained after two separate car chases.

Police previously set security checkpoints on road 8 in General Güemes as part of the efforts to prevent crime. While police officers were examining a gray vehicle, the car behind it suddenly made a u-turn when noticing the checkpoint.

Patrol cars chased the suspicious Fiat vehicle at high speed for some minutes. However, the driver lost control of the vehicle after sustaining some damage. The suspect abandoned the car at the 45 kilometer mark.

The driver was arrested and identified as Gallardo. Meanwhile, the gray car that was being examined at the checkpoint fled while police was chasing the Salta intelligence chief. A third vehicle was also seen fleeing the scene.

Police launched a search operation and located the two vehicles shortly after. The first, a gray Sedan car, was plunged into the Mojotorro River near the police checkpoint. The passengers of the vehicle managed to escape.

The other vehicle, a gray Volkswagen Bora, was also chased and law enforcement agents detained two men, aged 29 and 43. The two individuals were only identified as the Gimenez brothers.

Police also discovered two backpacks hidden in the bushes along the road that the vehicles used in the attempted escape. Inside them, more than 50 kilograms of cocaine in 49 packages were found. The three vehicles used by the suspects were stolen.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-05-28

Doesn't sound very "intelligent" too me.