According to the National Civil Police (PNC), during the last two months there have been 40 deaths in violent events in zone 6 of the capital, which are related to drug dealing and conflict between the Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gangs.
These armed attacks have been divided into 17 cases, according to the Criminal Investigation Subdirectorate of the PNC.
“There was a wave of events in zone 6 approximately two months ago, derived from the participation of members of the Mara Salvatrucha. Mainly, events that generated a lot of social commotion due to the magnitude of the event and the number of victims who unfortunately died during those events,” indicated the PNC.
One of these armed attacks attributed to the MS took place inside the Viña del Mar cevicheria on April 20, where six people died and a five-year-old child was injured.
Investigations establish that the Mara Salvatrucha intends to take control of retail drug sales and extortion in the Los Cipresales and Los Proyectos neighborhoods of zone 6.
A struggle that spread in the capital
Although this territorial struggle did not begin in zone 6, according to Police investigations it all began with a breakdown of the alliance between Los Caradura and the MS in the control of drug dealing.
This push to control drug distribution began in the El Gallito neighborhood, zone 3, and spread to nightclubs in zones 4, 9, 10 and 14 of the capital, areas where the Mara Salvatrucha displaced Los Caradura to consolidate its dominance in retail drug distribution and extortion, the Police say.
As part of the actions to contain this dispute, the PNCl is carrying out 115 search procedures this Wednesday in different sectors linked to the investigations.
“Mainly, the objective of the raids is to search for evidence to strengthen the lines of investigation or generate new lines of investigation. We have 17 cases that are strengthened through these proceedings,” indicated the General Subdirectorate of Criminal Investigation.
You can also read: El Enano, the leader of the MS who ordered the armed attack on the cevichería in zone 6 of the capital
The authorities indicated that the operations also seek to impact the Bichos Locos, Parking Locos and Carmen Locos cliques, linked to the Mara Salvatrucha and which, according to investigations, maintain a presence in different sectors of zone 6.
In addition to the raids, the Police said they are focusing on removing video surveillance cameras installed illegally by members of the Mara Salvatrucha.
“There is information provided by citizens that these cameras are installed by people who control police activity and also the sector, and do not have authorization from the municipality,” indicated the PNC.
The authorities explained that these devices were used to monitor the entry of police patrols, identify movements of rival groups and maintain territorial control in different parts of the area.
You might be interested in: MS-13 displaces Los Caradura from El Gallito and control by drug dealing would increase violence, according to authorities
The Police also reiterated the call to the population to provide confidential information about members of these criminal structures, vehicles used and places where they operate.
“We are interested in all the information that can be generated about these criminal actors, places where they live, in what vehicles or motorcycles they travel, so that they can provide us with this vital information to strengthen the investigation,” the institution added.