Sergeant linked to gang of drug traffickers is discharged from force

SANTIAGO.- National Police Sergeant Mauricio Álvarez, who was arrested yesterday on charges of assisting a gang of drug traffickers known as "Los Valladares", was discharged from the police force today after 23 years of service.

The former law enforcement official, who belonged to the 33rd Commissary of Ñuñoa, is being charged as an accomplice for having received money in exchange for freeing one of the gang's members, identified as Pedro Jerez, who was captured during a drug raid in the marginalized neighborhood of Exequiel González Cortés.

The head of the Prefactura Oriente, Luis Faggioni, has said that the police force discharged Álvarez after evidence implicating him was presented as part of an investigation being done by the Public Ministry.

The colonel called the incident "an unfortunate situation", but stressed that it involves "personal conduct that in no way compromises the effort and dedication of the thousands of police officers throughout our country".

Faggioni stated that, along with the aforementioned investigation, an administrative probe is also being carried out to determine the degree of responsibility that can be attributed to the now ex-official.

With regards to whether or not there are other police officers linked to drug trafficking circles, Faggioni has said that there is no evidence to support such a conception, but assured that the administrative investigation will also seek to determine if there are other individuals involved in the case.