What happened?
A dangerous drug clan with the nickname “Archangel Michael” who was dedicated to the cultivation and marketing of cannabis in the municipality of Petorca, in the Valparaíso region, causing fear and terror among the residents of the area, was caught by the investigative police after months of surveillance.
It is a criminal organization that was willing to do anything to protect its lucrative business, to the point of not only intimidating its potential opponents with firearms, but also resorting to them Witchcraft and Spiritualism For your safety.
The leader and his right hand man
The leader of the band was Genaro Valdez who was already behind bars, however, continued to operate from prison.
He Deputy Commissioner Felipe Olea from the Brigade to Combat Drugs and Organized Crime (Brianco), assures that “a pretty violent guy who is currently charged with a second case of robbery with violence.
Lorena Gonzalez He was the leader’s right-hand man and controlled the entire clan while being deprived of his freedom.
“These are the eyes that Genaro has on the street. She is responsible for redistributing shifts to the supervisors (of the plantations).to bring them food and market the medicines once they have been harvested, dosed and moved to a safe area,” said Deputy Commissioner Olea.
Spiritual protection
In addition to supplying her workers with firearms, the woman also also spiritual protection.
According to the Prosecutor Felipe Gonzalez from the Valparaíso Prosecutor’s Office, “she was repeatedly concerned about it Each of the illegal acts carried out was blessed through the use of saints which were set up as landmarks in each of the illegal drug growing areas to which the gang members belonged They had to offer prayers by lighting candles and maintaining a constant concern to sanctify their illegal activities.”
“An idea very similar to what is happening in Mexico with criminal organizations that venerate saints, especially death,” he added.
For his part, Deputy Commissioner Olea explained that Lorena “He forced the caretakers to build such sanctuaries and confirmed this through photographs. In fact, she called them daily (asking them) to send her photos of the plants and of them I wanted to protect her with this.
Lorena kept her son as the main security guard, Jean Patric Saez “who was responsible for storing the drugs to be distributed in two departments in the metropolitan region,” explained the pursuer.
“I don’t know my bad side”
During the investigation, many of the telephone conversations Lorena had with the plantation managers were recorded by police, revealing the alleged spiritual protection she exercised. by another woman who saw her cards and practiced witchcraft.
“Fabi had thrown the cards to everyone, He sees a lot of money in it, he sees a lot of success in it“ But the only thing they have to do is not to drink, because they say that by drinking you create problems and misfortune will happen,” one of the calls says.
In another instance, when one of her workers claims to have had a run-in with the police, Lorena tells him: “Don’t ask the archangel anymore, I already have Fabi on duty now I will light the candles (…) You ask Saint Andrew and the Archangel.
“Ask him with your faith, I will light candles for him now. Don’t worry, nothing will happen to you, I will protect you,” he adds.
However, he used his faith not only for the “good” of the clan members, but also to wish bad omens: “Tell him I said that.” I don’t know my bad side because I work with a witch and in one, two, three, “I can knock them down” he tells his interlocutor.
“There are people who are threatened”
This is assured by a neighbor of Petorca, who posed as Javier to protect his identity “There are people who were threatened, others receive funeral wreaths”.
According to his version, this is a crime and every day that passes Add new soldiers due to the income it generates, with each seed having a value close to that 25,000 pesos.
“There are boys who take care of marijuana plantations seasonally. They receive a salary of 5 million per month, so it is profitable for them. The season can last six months with each caregiver receiving around 20 million,” he adds.
When asked if anyone comes across this plantation on a family trip, he explains that the members of the band might inherit or kill especially “if they don’t know them when they come from outside.”
