US (Washington Insider Magazine)— Guatemalan security forces arrested Luis Enrique Ruiz Morales, a 38-year-old suspected drug trafficker, in Antigua Guatemala in a major operation on Wednesday. The operation , carried out approximately 50 kilometers west of Guatemala City, was based on an extradition order issued by the United States, where Ruiz Morales is accused of conspiracy to manufacture and distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, according to the Guatemalan newspaper República. . This arrest is a continuation of concerted efforts by Guatemalan authorities to combat drug trafficking, a crime that exploits the country’s strategic geographic location as a conduit for the transportation of cocaine from South America to the United States. According to the aforementioned media, the procedure was carried out at kilometer 287.5 of the Inter-American route with jurisdiction to Colotenango, Huehuetenango. The discovery was recorded during the inspection of three sacks and a bag at a public transport stop in the aforementioned sector; Then the police forces coordinated with prosecutors from the Public Ministry (MP) to package the alleged drugs. The weight amounts to an approximate 42 pounds. The arrest of Ruiz Morales underscores the pervasive reach of drug trafficking operations, even in areas recognized for their cultural and historical importance. The first in a series of collaborative efforts in 2024 This recent arrest is the first in 2024, following a year in which 21 people were captured in similar circumstances, reflecting constant and continued collaboration between Guatemalan authorities and US law enforcement. With approximately 200 people detained with extradition orders to the United States since 2019, Guatemala has attempted to disrupt the operations of drug trafficking networks that use its territory as a key transit point. Guatemala’s strategic location makes it a critical bridge on the cocaine trafficking route from South America to the US market. This position places the country at the forefront of a broader battle against international drug trafficking, creating a constant need for vigilant law enforcement and international cooperation. As Guatemalan forces continue their efforts, the focus on extradition highlights the importance of global alliances in the fight against narcotics and the criminal networks behind them. Guatemala’s continued efforts to apprehend individuals involved in these international crimes will be crucial in the broader strategy to dismantle networks that threaten the security and stability of nations around the world.
This article is originally published on eldiariony.com
