Córdoba Highway Patrol scandal: details of the case and everyone involved

A scandal shakes provincial security after the arrest of the head of Córdoba's Caminera was confirmed. The investigation began in November 2024, following a case initiated by prosecutor Paula Kelm in Cosquín. That original case led to six arrests for real estate fraud and illegal occupation.

Based on information that emerged from that file, prosecutor Guillermo González detected a key link with a civilian from Córdoba. This person turned out to be the connection between the Cosquín organization and a new network with internal connections in the Police. This is how the investigation reached the top of the Caminera, headed by Maximiliano Ochoa Roldán.

On Friday, June 27, González ordered 11 simultaneous raids in Córdoba city and surrounding towns. The areas raided were Unquillo, La Calera, Cosquín, Santa María de Punilla, La Falda, Huerta Grande, and Salsipuedes. During the operations, computers, weapons, cell phones, documents, vehicles, and cash were seized.

What prosecutor González said at the press conference

During the press conference at Police Headquarters, González was accompanied by Minister Juan Pablo Quinteros. There, he explained that the detained civilian acted as a direct connection with the gang already dismantled in Punilla. Thanks to this discovery, the prosecution found that there were officers with access to confidential databases operating illegally.

According to the prosecutor, those involved used that information to exert coercion, collect debts, or take on legal defenses outside the legal framework. They also accessed criminal records to set fees and negotiate extrajudicially. González avoided giving further details due to the gag order, but confirmed that more evidence is under analysis.

The judicial official warned that this is a structure that had been operating for some time and that there could be more people involved. He also clarified that the crimes are not related to fines or the usual tasks of the Caminera. The focus of the case is on the illegitimate use of public data and the exploitation of the position for personal gain.

The seven involved: one by one, who they are and what charges they face

Comisario General Maximiliano Gabriel Ochoa Roldán: director of the Policía Caminera. Accused of being the head of a criminal association, coercion, extortion, illicit enrichment, embezzlement of services, and concealment by omission of reporting.

Gastón Miguel Ochoa Roldán: lawyer and brother of the head of the Caminera. Charged as a member of the criminal association.

Comisario Inspector Leonardo Javier Torres: head of the legal advisory office of Córdoba Police. He is accused of being part of the criminal association.

Comisario Inspector Martín Darío Heredia: member of the Caminera. He faces charges of criminal association, illicit enrichment, and concealment by omission of reporting.

Comisario Inspector Jorge Gutiérrez: head of the Witness Protection Directorate. He is charged with criminal association and embezzlement of services.

Suboficial Principal Dante Gabriel Villalba: driver at Police Headquarters. Accused of coercion, criminal association, and embezzlement of services.

Gabriel Élido Burkhard: civilian. He is under investigation for coercion, extortion, illicit enrichment, and for having organized part of the criminal network.

The modus operandi and possible new people involved

The network allegedly accessed official databases illegally for financial gain. According to judicial sources, they used that information to evict houses, seize land, or influence judicial proceedings. They then kept between 20% and 30% of the value of the properties.

The group relied on officers with law degrees and civilians who acted as intermediaries. That structure facilitated their actions in various towns and allowed them to evade internal controls. Investigations are underway into illegal occupation, collection of fees, and personal enrichment with State resources.

The case remains open and further charges are not ruled out. Prosecutor González indicated that the seized material includes key information about the gang's operations. As computers and cell phones are analyzed, more people could be added to the list of those involved.