Four detectives from the Investigations Police (PDI) have been arrested during operations in the Antofagasta and Bío Bío regions on charges of crimes against public administration. The investigation, which involves embezzlement of public funds and money laundering, focuses on the alleged misappropriation of goods seized in the El Loa province.
According to reports from BioBioChile, one of those involved was apprehended in the commune of Los Ángeles, in the Bío Bío region. The officer was detained by Carabineros' OS7 unit and appeared via video link before the Calama Guarantee Court.
The case centers on the disappearance of approximately 70 million pesos in cash and jewelry. As reported by Cooperativa, these items had been recovered following a copper theft at Codelco's Ministro Hales division.
Corruption network and precautionary measures
The Calama prosecutor's office is leading the investigation, which points to a structure involving members of the Criminal Investigation Brigade (Bicrim). According to details provided by Cooperativa, those among the detained include a commissioner and an agent, both accused of misappropriating the seized items.
The court has ordered pretrial detention for two of the officers. One of them, captured in Los Ángeles, will be transferred to the city of Concepción to serve the order, while the second defendant, arrested in Antofagasta, will remain at a PDI station in that same city to prevent any coordination between the suspects.
Formal charges include embezzlement of public funds, money laundering, robbery with intimidation, and obstruction of justice. The investigation also extended to a sub-commissioner from the same brigade, who was placed under nighttime house arrest, subject to national travel bans, and prohibited from approaching the PBI headquarters in Calama.
A fourth individual, identified by BioBioChile as the wife of one of the agents, faces money laundering charges. She has been placed under house arrest and is required to report to authorities every two weeks.
Carabineros' specialized OS7 unit is tasked with investigating these high-complexity crimes. The court has set a 120-day period for the investigation, during which authorities will seek to determine the full extent of the network and identify if any other individuals are responsible.
