Six alleged members of a criminal structure associated with Barrio 18 were captured during 31 raids carried out this Wednesday, May 20, by investigators from the Specialized Criminal Investigation Division (DEIC) and prosecutors from the Public Ministry (MP) in different villages and areas of Villa Nueva.
The authorities reported that during the proceedings, six firearms, drugs, cell phones and Q352,370 in cash were seized, money that, according to preliminary investigations, allegedly came from the sale of drugs and other illicit activities.
Those captured were identified as Óscar “N”, 44 years old; Osmar “N”, 22; Mario “N”, 36; Luis “N”, 24; Sandra “N”, 42, and Juan Carlos “N”, 39 years old. The latter had an arrest warrant for the crime of violence against women in its physical manifestation in the private sphere.
During the operations, the authorities seized the following evidence:
- Q352 thousand 370 in cash
- Six firearms
- Eight cell phones
- 33 bags and two marijuana cigarettes
- 28 blisters with cocaine capsules
- 15 plastic containers with cocaine
- 22 stones and two blisters with crack capsules
- 14 microcontainers with crack
According to the investigation, the criminal structure would be linked to the theft of motorcycles, which were allegedly used in armed robberies and murders.
The investigations indicate that, after committing the criminal acts, the motorcycles were taken to workshops to modify their characteristics and later delivered them to other members of the criminal organization, who supposedly marketed them to third parties.
The proceedings were carried out as a follow-up to multiple criminal acts documented through criminal analysis and citizen complaints, according to authorities.
Lair of gangsters discovered
In Villa Nueva 6 arrests, 6 firearms, drugs and more than 350 thousand quetzales seized
Another result of 31 raids carried out by investigators from the #DEIC in conjunction with prosecutors in different villages and areas of Villa Nueva pic.twitter.com/fK4VlU362k
— PNC of Guatemala (@PNCdeGuatemala) May 20, 2026