Gendarmes of the “Puerto Velaz” section of Squadron 15 “Bajo Paraguay” stopped a long-distance passenger bus on National Route 11 at kilometre 1,103 in Lucio V. Mansilla, Formosa province, for a physical and document check.[1] The bus had set out from Clorinda, also in Formosa, and was heading for Villa Carlos Paz in Córdoba province.[1] Scanning the luggage, the officers saw on the monitor shapes like those used to move drugs in a suitcase and a rucksack, and the anti-narcotics dog “Jumbo” reacted actively when brought to the bags.[1] The luggage belonged to an adult man, who was identified at once, and the force removed 24 packages from it, 14 in the suitcase and 10 in the rucksack, wrapped in transparent nylon bags holding a vegetable substance.[1]

A field test was positive for cannabis sativa (marijuana), giving a weight of 20 kilos 195 grams.[1] Federal Court No. 2 of Formosa, the federal court in the provincial capital, ordered the whole drug load seized and the passenger detained.[1]

Diario Exprés and La Gaceta republished the Gendarmería release with the same account, La Gaceta attributing the report to Gendarmería Nacional.[2] La Gaceta reported the detention the next day under the heading that the passenger was carrying more than 20 kilos.[3] Zona Norte Visión republished the account and placed it among checks ordered by the national Security Ministry against drug trafficking across the country.[4]