Uruguayan Drug Lord Sebastián Marset Captured in Bolivia: A Milestone in the Fight Against Drug Trafficking

In a significant blow to international drug trafficking operations, Bolivia's Special Force for the Fight Against Drug Trafficking (FELCN) captured Uruguayan drug trafficker Sebastián Marset early Friday morning in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Marset, identified as Uruguay's most dangerous criminal, has been sought by authorities for years and is one of the five most wanted individuals by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Reports indicate that following his capture, he was swiftly transferred from Viru Viru Airport to the United States, where he faces numerous charges, including money laundering associated with his extensive drug operations. Marset, the head of the First Uruguayan Cartel (PCU), was apprehended in the upscale Las Palmas neighborhood, just a few miles from the center of Santa Cruz. He had managed to evade capture for over three years, skillfully navigating a network of both Bolivian and international law enforcement efforts, even evading Interpol. His criminal career first gained public attention in 2013 when he was arrested for transporting over 450 kilograms of marijuana. After serving five years in prison, he re-emerged as the mastermind behind a cocaine shipping network that routed drugs from Bolivia through Paraguay to Europe, according to reports by Insight Crime. Marset's notoriety escalated dramatically in 2022 when he was implicated in the assassination of Paraguayan anti-drug prosecutor Marcelo Pecci in Colombia. His name resurfaced again in 2023 during a failed police operation aimed at capturing him in Bolivia, which resulted in the kidnapping of two police officers and his subsequent escape. However, authorities did seize weapons, luxury vehicles, and large sums of cash from a mansion where he was living with his Paraguayan wife and their three children. Last week, Marset's presence in Bolivia was publicly speculated by Paraguayan Minister of the National Anti-Drug Secretariat, Jalil Rachid, but was quickly denied by Bolivian Government Minister Marco Antonio Oviedo. The arrest of Marset not only represents a pivotal moment in Bolivia's ongoing battle against drug trafficking but also underscores the criminal leader's infamous taunts directed at Bolivian authorities, which he shared through social media videos. In one instance, he accused the former head of the FELCN, Ismael Vilca, of colluding with him for financial gain, suggesting that he was tipped off about an arrest warrant in exchange for a bribe. While Marset claimed support from insiders, law enforcement agencies vehemently rejected his claims. In May 2025, the U.S. State Department formally charged Marset with money laundering for utilizing U.S. financial institutions to manage drug-related funds. In response to his continued evasion of capture, Washington offered a $2 million reward for any information leading to his apprehension. Marset's downfall is a reflection of the relentless efforts of law enforcement agencies. With his capture, hope remains that the orchestrated cartel operations he led will face considerable disruption and that the fight against the drug trade in South America will gain momentum. Authorities will continue to work collaboratively on both national and international levels to dismantle criminal networks and bring operators to justice. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2