86.5 kilograms of marijuana seized on team bus: 3 drivers detained

A drug operation was conducted in Bolivia regarding a bus intended for the transportation of the Brazilian team São Paulo, which had traveled to the country for its Sudamericana Cup round of 16 match against Bolivar.

According to information in the local press, the bus scheduled to transport the São Paulo delegation was stopped near Cochabamba. A search conducted by the Bolivian Rural Areas Mobile Police Unit (UMOPAR) resulted in the seizure of 86.5 kilograms of marijuana found in 4 bags.

Three drivers alleged to be transporting the drugs were detained during the operation. Following the incident, the transportation company Buses Cosmos announced that another bus had been allocated to the club at the previously scheduled time.

São Paulo representatives reported that the team was taken from Santa Cruz de La Sierra Airport to their hotel as planned on Monday night and that there were no disruptions to their transportation schedule.

In a written statement, Buses Cosmos argued that the responsibility lay with the drivers. The company stated, "Linha Sindical Flota Cosmos and the São Paulo FC team are not responsible for this incident. The São Paulo FC team did not use that bus; another vehicle was allocated to them."

The statement also noted that the incident was being investigated by the police and that the detained individuals had been handed over to the Bolivian justice system.

News Source: 12punto