Marset collaborator extradited to Paraguay and held in maximum security prison

Paraguayan citizen José Estigarribia Cristaldo, nicknamed "La Maldad" (The Evil One) and identified as one of Sebastián Marset's trusted men, was extradited this Saturday from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and is now detained in Paraguay. The information was confirmed by the Interpol office in Asunción.

According to the official statement, Estigarribia landed at Silvio Pettirossi International Airport, located in the city of Luque, at 1:10 p.m. local time, on a connecting flight from Buenos Aires. He had previously arrived from Dubai on an Emirates airline plane.

As soon as he got off the plane, he underwent a medical examination supervised by Prosecutor Matilde Moreno. He was then escorted by security agents to the headquarters of the Specialized Group of the National Police in Asunción, where a hearing was held by Judge Rosarito Montania. The judge ordered him to be held in pretrial detention in the maximum security ward of the Martín Mendoza Social Reintegration Center in Emboscada, approximately 40 kilometers from the Paraguayan capital.

The transfer to the prison took place the same day under strict security measures. The head of Interpol Paraguay, Commissioner Julio Maldonado, explained that since July 4, they had been working to confirm the arrest and the identity of the accused with the Emirati authorities.

Estigarribia, a former assistant prosecutor, faces charges for alleged drug trafficking and money laundering. He has multiple national and international arrest warrants and is directly linked to the criminal network led by Marset.

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The extradition operation for "La Maldad" activated international maximum security protocols.

Various reports describe him as the "right-hand man" of the Uruguayan drug trafficker, known for leading the "A Ultranza PY" operation in February 2022, considered the largest blow against organized crime in Paraguay.

Marset, who has been a fugitive since July 2023 after evading an operation in Bolivia, is wanted by justice systems in Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil, Bolivia, the United States, and by agencies such as Interpol, the DEA, and Europol. His network is allegedly linked to the shipment of more than 16 tons of cocaine seized in Europe.

Meanwhile, his wife, Gianina García Troche, was also arrested this year in Paraguay. She was extradited from Spain after being arrested at Madrid airport. Since May, she has been held in the Viñas Cue military prison, accused of money laundering related to drug trafficking.

The U.S. justice system has offered a $2 million reward for information leading to the capture or conviction of Marset. According to the State Department, this is one of the largest drug trafficking operations in the region.

In June, it was revealed that a lawyer and former judge had attempted to negotiate Marset's surrender in exchange for García Troche's release. Paraguayan Attorney General Emiliano Rolón stated that there is no possibility of reaching an agreement with a fugitive, but his constitutional rights would be guaranteed if he were to appear.

At the same time, a letter attributed to Marset blames the governments of Paraguay, Bolivia, Uruguay, and the United States for alleged persecution and asserts that he will not surrender without guarantees for his family.

Interpol, the Paraguayan National Police, the Public Prosecutor's Office, and international organizations continue their crackdown on Marset's entourage. In Paraguay, the case continues to move forward, while several members of the network face legal proceedings.