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Argentine Army Sergeant Charged in Chile After Mortar Rounds Found at Border Crossing

Prosecutors opened a six-month probe to verify the nature and origin of the seized rounds.

Overview

  • Customs officers at Paso Los Libertadores detained the 39-year-old after a detector dog flagged a green metal box in his trunk containing two mortar-like projectiles.
  • The serviceman, identified by initials C. D.M., was formally accused of contraband and illegal possession of explosives by the Los Andes prosecutor.
  • A judge ordered bimonthly signing as the sole precautionary measure and released him while the case proceeds on a six-month timeline.
  • The projectiles were transferred to Carabineros’ GOPE unit in Valparaíso for forensic testing to determine their condition and provenance.
  • Argentine Army sources say the items may be inert subcaliber training rounds and the force began internal administrative proceedings, with local reports valuing the seizure at about 272,000 Chilean pesos.