A dangerous drug trafficking organization operating in Río Ceballos and Córdoba has been dismantled.

On Monday, May 26, authorities dismantled a dangerous drug trafficking gang that operated with illegal currency exchange houses between Río Ceballos and Córdoba.

According to sources involved in the case, those currency exchange houses served as centers for drug storage and distribution.

The organization laundered money through unauthorized currency exchange houses, where they bought dollars with profits from street-level drug dealing. That money was used to purchase drugs and finance their operations.

Authorities also determined the existence of a clothing store allegedly used as a front for money laundering activities.

In Río Ceballos, authorities raided a business in the urban area that operated as a money laundering and logistics center for drug trafficking. From that location, shipments were organized, proceeds from sales were received, and the money was sent to the capital city of Córdoba.

As a result, three people have already been arrested, in addition to the seizure of drugs and money, valued at approximately US$40,000 and $45 million in cash.

Authorities also seized packaging materials, precision scales, computers, and more than 30 cell phones. The case remains under a gag order, and further arrests have not been ruled out.

The operation was carried out by personnel from the Dangerous Drugs Division of the Federal Police. The case was assigned to Federal Court No. 1 of Córdoba, presided over by Dr. Ricardo Bustos Fierro, who ordered the procedure.

After 10 months of investigation, authorities were able to establish the existence of a drug trafficking organization with connections in the aforementioned cities.

"This organization was engaged in the sale and distribution of narcotics, relying on a complex network of commercial premises and business fronts," authorities explained.

During the investigation, it was established that the suspects "operated various unauthorized currency exchange houses in the downtown area, where they acquired foreign currency later used to purchase illicit substances."

With the evidence obtained, authorities carried out 10 simultaneous raids, with support from the San Francisco Anti-Drug Division and the General Directorate of Agencies, according to reports.

The detainees are charged with being responsible for both drug sales and the coordination of the currency exchange houses and the clothing business.