The arrests were ordered following multiple raids as part of a judicial investigation
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A total of 14 gendarmes who were serving at the Sampacho outpost were arrested, accused of soliciting bribes from transporters. The arrests took place because the officers demanded money to allow truck drivers to circulate despite irregularities. The case began in February and cast suspicion on the conduct of several members of the force during road checks.
The operation was ordered by federal judge Río Cuarto, Carlos Ochoa, who issued the measures after evidence regarding the complaints had accumulated. The investigation was led by prosecutor Rodolfo Cabanillas, who directed a series of procedures in different towns. According to reports, the actions included inspections at official facilities and at homes linked to the uniformed personnel.
In recent hours, more than twenty raids were carried out at the Gendarmerie outpost in Sampacho and at private properties. Among those arrested is the head of the unit, according to local media, which increased the impact of the case. The gendarmes were transferred to the headquarters of the Federal Police in Río Cuarto, where they remain in custody.
Entre los arrestados se encuentra la jefa de la dependencia
Ongoing investigation and scope of the case
In addition to the arrests, six officers who were serving at the same base were preventively removed from the institution. Gendarmería Nacional delegated the investigation to the Criminal Investigations Unit, aiming to determine responsibilities. Official spokespersons indicated that the goal is to establish whether there was an organized structure to systematically collect bribes.
The case became more significant due to the scale of the operations, which included up to 25 raids in provinces such as Salta, Santa Fe, and Catamarca. The breadth of the investigation reflects the seriousness of the suspicions and the possible existence of broader connections. The magnitude of the investigation caused expectations regarding potential administrative and judicial sanctions.
The initial complaint that triggered the process was filed by an individual who refused to hand over money at a road checkpoint. That action led to the opening of an investigation that soon included testimony from other affected transporters. The investigation is expected to move forward to determine responsibilities and possible sanctions.
