Narco-bar del puerto: they raid a popular Valparaíso pub for cocaine trafficking | bbcl_investigates

The Investigative Police raided the popular El Cureptano bar in Valparaíso on Thursday, after the prosecution confirmed the sale of cocaine inside.

It is a well-known pub frequented mainly by students and fans of rock and metal, which -according to the investigation- served as a front for the sale of drugs.

The facts of the investigation point to Aliro Morales Ramírez as the main person responsible for the coordination, sale and storage of drugs in the building on Avenida Ecuador 102.

Records contained in the investigative folder of the Public Ministry -which this medium accessed- account for the proceedings and monitoring of the PDI, which even contemplated the use of a “snitch”.

Surveillance

A police report from the Valparaíso Anti-Narcotics and Organized Crime Brigade dated March 12, 2022, for example, details the surveillance carried out by a couple of detectives that made it possible to establish the modus operandi of those involved.

According to the document, the officials discreetly located themselves in front of El Cureptano. There they could see the role of a woman – about 40 years old, with a thick build, dark and straight hair – who not only served as a waitress but also as a recruiter of potential clients for the illegal business.

He was seen making “coordinations” with his boss, Alirio Morales, and delivering a package that the police presume could be linked to drug trafficking.

The latter, meanwhile, was observed – as usual – in his wheelchair, stationed at the entrance of the premises.

As they would do in subsequent surveillance, the detectives saw consumers in the sector quickly enter and leave the place “carrying something in their hands”, which in the opinion of the investigators corresponds to a “conduct that is consistent with the commercialization of substances
illicit”.

Alirio Morales at the entrance of the premises | Photograph contained in surveillance report

the informer

A second police report issued by the same brigade four days later provides more evidence of what was happening inside El Cureptano.

According to the letter, detectives used a “snitch” to confirm the sale of drugs.

Identified with the nomenclature X-01, the informant arrived at about 5:45 p.m. at the building on Avenida Ecuador 102, where he made contact with the accused Aliro Morales. As usual, he was at the entrance of the enclosure.

X-01 greeted him and asked for “a bag”.

“Come in, go up to the second floor and pay José,” Morales replied, according to the transcript of the statement provided by the detectives who participated in the operation.

Once on the upper floor, the informant made contact with a man -of medium height, thick build and dark complexion- to whom he extended a 5,000-peso bill. In response, his counterpart handed him a small packet of white powder.

Tests conducted later would come back positive for cocaine. He weighed 0.42 grams.

Narco-bar del puerto: they raid a popular local in Valparaíso for cocaine trafficking
Alirio Morales on his way to El Cureptano | Photograph contained in surveillance report

In view of the background information compiled by the PDI, the Public Ministry requested an entry and search warrant for Morales’ home and the pub, a request that was finally granted by the Valparaíso Guarantee Court.

The proceedings were finalized this Thursday evening and concluded with at least one detainee.

It is expected that further information on the operation will be known this Friday.

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