Four police officers from the Scientific, Penal and Criminal Investigations Corps (CICPC) were arrested and expelled from the force in Venezuela, accused of appropriating money and other valuables found among the rubble of buildings that collapsed in the state of La Guaira, in the north of the country.
The region was one of the hardest hit by last week’s earthquakes, which left thousands dead and mobilized a broad rescue and humanitarian assistance operation.
According to the newspaper The Diarythe agents began to be investigated after reports that they had taken advantage of the searches to retain goods found in the affected areas. One of the episodes occurred in Playa Grande, where a police officer was filmed holding dollar bills while being confronted by residents.
In the images, which circulated on social media, neighbors accuse the agent of trying to confiscate the money on the grounds that it was “evidence material”. Amid the discussion, some people tear up US$100 bills in front of the police officer.
According to the The Diarythe director of the CICPC, Douglas Rico, stated that the four agents “deviated from their duties” by appropriating valuables found during emergency operations. In a statement, the corporation said that the police officers were fired, arrested and will face administrative and judicial proceedings.
The Minister of the Interior, Diosdado Cabello, also commented on the case and stated that those involved will be prosecuted. According to him, the government will adopt “zero tolerance” towards agents who use their uniforms to commit irregularities in the midst of the disaster.
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Victims
Meanwhile, the number of earthquake victims continues to rise. According to the most recent report from Venezuelan authorities, at least 1,943 people have died and 10,571 have been injured since the tremors of June 24. The government also reported that 6,461 survivors have already been rescued.
One of the most emblematic rescues occurred this week, when a Jordanian search and rescue team alive rescued a 3-year-old boy who remained buried for six days under the rubble of a house.
