The Attorney General’s Office announced the dismantling of a network dedicated to the trafficking of potassium chlorate, an input used in the manufacture of explosives, that operated between Ecuador and Colombia. The investigation allowed the identification and prosecution of three of its alleged members: Sonia Patricia Prado, Libardo Marcial and Wilson Antonio Usamak.

According to the authorities, between 2024 and 2025, Prado and Marcial would have facilitated the irregular entry of the substance into the country for its subsequent distribution in different regions. To evade controls, they camouflaged potassium chlorate in shipments of fertilizer for agricultural crops transported by road and in parcel shipments.

For his part, Usamak, who worked in a shipping company, would have coordinated the logistics of the illegal shipments, verifying at least 20 shipments of potassium chlorate and ensuring the operation of the network.

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The Specialized Directorate against Criminal Organizations charged the three defendants with the crime of manufacturing, trafficking and carrying weapons, ammunition for restricted use, for the exclusive use of the Armed Forces or explosives. Although they did not accept the charges during the preliminary hearings, a judge ordered their custodial measure while the judicial process progresses.

This case is part of a broader investigation that has led to the prosecution of 29 people linked to the network in Colombia and has resulted in the seizure of more than 7 tons of explosive material. The authorities highlighted that these actions represent a significant blow to the illegal trafficking of chemical substances, protecting public safety and limiting the operational capacity of criminal groups.

The modus operandi of the network shows how criminal groups take advantage of both the transportation of goods and shipping services to introduce regulated substances clandestinely. The Prosecutor’s Office emphasized that the investigation will continue to fully clarify the participation of the accused and guarantee that the responsibilities of each person within the criminal chain are precisely determined.