The capture of Alexandro José Galindo Arellano at La Aurora International Airport on August 10, 2016 gave rise to an investigation that allowed the Public Ministry to dismantle a drug trafficking structure allegedly led by a former DEIC agent. Ten years later, Galindo is a survivor of an armed attack in San Miguel Dueñas, Sacatepéquezwhich the authorities relate to the dispute between the Mara Salvatrucha, Barrio 18 and Los Caradura.
The arrest of Galindo Arellano not only thwarted an alleged attempt to transport drugs to Switzerland. According to the Public Ministry (MP), this procedure marked the beginning of an investigation that three years later led to an operation to dismantle a structure dedicated to international drug trafficking, allegedly led by a former researcher of the National Civil Police (PNC) and with alleged links to the Gulf cartel.
The beginning of the investigation
The Drug Crimes Prosecutor’s Office maintains that Galindo intended to travel to Switzerland with 77 drug capsules hidden inside his body.
The prosecution explained in March 2019 that this capture allowed an investigation to be carried out that subsequently led to the seizure of four kilograms of cocaine and US$200,000 in cash, seized on June 14, 2018.
In addition, during monitoring, a criminal structure was identified that, according to the MP, maintained connections for international drug trafficking. between Colombia, Guatemala and Mexico and links with the Gulf cartel for the distribution and storage of illicit drugs.
A former DEIC researcher at the head of the structure
On March 13, 2019, the Narcotics Crimes Prosecutor’s Office carried out 40 raids in Guatemala, Quetzaltenango, San Marcos, Suchitepéquez and Escuintla.
As a result, 15 people were captured, including individuals and five PNC agents.
According to the MP’s accusation, the main leader of the organization was Marvin Estuardo Alfaro Bravo, alias “Stuard”, a former agent of the Specialized Criminal Investigation Division (DEIC).
The Prosecutor’s Office maintained before the court that the structure, known as The Stuartsallegedly operated between May 25, 2017 and March 13, 2019 and was dedicated to the illicit trade, trafficking and storage of drugs and money laundering.
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The heritage investigation
As part of the investigations, the Public Ministry documented the acquisition of homes, luxury vehicles, cash, jewelry, works of art and other assets that were subsequently subject to asset forfeiture processes.
Among the seized evidence were a Maserati, a Porsche, an Audi R8, a Corvette, classic vehicles, motorcycles, jet skis and dozens of high-end automobiles.
In March 2020, the Asset Forfeiture Unit delivered 36 vehicles linked to Alfaro Bravo’s assets to the National Secretariat for the Administration of Assets in Asset Forfeiture (Senabed), bringing the number to 91 automotive..
Judicial process
In July 2019, the Third Criminal Court authorized the extradition of Alfaro Bravo to the United Stateswhere was required for crimes related to drug trafficking.
In May 2025, the Ninth Criminal Sentencing Court sentenced former agents Luis Rodolfo Joachin Alfaro, Ubaldo Augusto Camey and Danilo Jenri Chacach to six years in prison for the crime of obstruction of justice.
According to the resolution, the former agents collaborated with the criminal structure by transferring information that made it possible to avoid actions by the authorities against the structure led by Alfaro Bravo. Two other police officers were still awaiting trial.
The Tenth Criminal Sentencing Court knows the trial against Alfaro Bravo for money laundering or other assets. According to the MP’s accusation, he would have given the appearance of legality to funds coming from drug trafficking activities linked to Juan Alberto Ortiz López, alias “Chamalé.”