Guatemala’s National Civil Police captured 78-year-old United States citizen Richard “N”, known as “El Gringo”, after searching a house in zone 8 of Cobán, Alta Verapaz, where officers found a marijuana plantation.[1] The detention was registered on Tuesday 23 June, after a house search found eight marijuana plants in harvestable stage that he grew in his patio.[2] He was captured and taken to a hospital under PNC custody after complaining of health problems.[2]

Police said the eight plants were in fase de aprovechamiento, the harvestable stage, and valued them at Q3 mil, about 385 United States dollars.[1] Officers also seized 22 bags and four jars containing marijuana, along with a scale and grinders.[1] The inspection also found artisanal cookies made with marijuana.[1] The cookies were allegedly made by alias “El Gringo”.[3]

The detention was carried out during an allanamiento, a house search, where the eight patio plants were located.[3] Planners from DIPANDA, the National Division against Criminal Development of Gangs, and the Guatemalan Red Cross assisted in the operation.[1]