In the lead-up to the Brazilian team's match against Bolivar in the Copa Sudamericana, the police found four bags of drugs in the vehicle they would use in Bolivian territory during an operation in Cochabamba and arrested the two drivers
The journey of São Paulo through Bolivia to face Bolívar in the first leg of the round of 16 of the Copa Sudamericana was wrapped in a situation as unusual as it was foreign to the team: the Police found more than 86 kilos of marijuana hidden inside the bus that had been hired to transport the delegation during their stay in the country. The vehicle had club markings and two of its drivers were arrested, although the Brazilian institution clarified that it never ended up using it.
The operation took place this Tuesday in the region of Locotal, in the department of Cochabamba. Agents from the Mobile Rural Patrol Unit (Umopar) inspected the vehicle and found four hidden bags inside. After the corresponding analyses, the authorities confirmed that they contained 86.55 kilos of marijuana.
They found 86.55 kilos of marijuana in the bus that was going to use São Paulo in Bolivia
The bus belonged to the company Buses Cosmos and was intended to transport the players of the team in Bolivia. After learning about this unexpected situation, the Brazilian club clarified that the delegation had no contact with that vehicle, while the company responsible for the service provided another bus, which was used on Monday night to transport the team from Santa Cruz de la Sierra airport to the hotel. For that reason, the seized bus did not become part of the logistics used by the team.
On the other hand, the two drivers of the vehicle were detained and taken to a police station. According to Bolivian authorities, they will have to appear before a judge, while the Police and the Prosecutor's Office investigate the origin and destination of the drug and seek to determine if there are other people involved.
They found 86.55 kilos of marijuana in the bus that was going to use São Paulo in Bolivia
The particular situation occurred while São Paulo is preparing for an important match. The team decided to settle in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, about 400 meters above sea level, to then move to La Paz a few hours before the match to reduce the impact of the altitude. The Brazilian team will face Bolívar this Tuesday at 21:30 at the Hernando Siles stadium, located more than 3,600 meters above sea level.
