In a shocking revelation, four officers from Venezuela's Scientific, Penal, and Criminal Investigations Corps (CICPC) have been apprehended and expelled from the force. They were caught pocketing cash found amid the debris of collapsed structures in La Guaira state, which suffered the most severe damage from the twin earthquakes on June 24, as reported by EFE news agency.
The CICPC disclosed the identities of the detained officers as Aguilar Reyes Maya, Fredy Rafael Lugo Oliveros, Roger Andrés Omaña, and Josué Jhonatan Burgos Sánchez. Arrests were made by the Division of Public Faith Crimes Investigations (DIDFP) of the same agency, as announced on platform X by the Ministry of Interior Relations, Justice, and Peace.
Public Outrage Over the Theft
The incident ignited public fury after videos circulated on social media showing a CICPC inspector, dubbed "Inspector Ragnar," holding a bag filled with $100 bills among the wreckage of Vallarta residences in Playa Grande, La Guaira.
Local residents claimed that the amount stolen could be as much as $10,000 discovered in the ruins of collapsed buildings. Distrustful of law enforcement and unable to retrieve the money through other means, community members seized the bag from the officer and tore the bills apart with their own hands, an act that became emblematic of widespread public outrage.
In the footage, the Venezuelans who destroyed the cash were seen shouting at the inspector, "Thief! Give it back! You're recorded on all the networks."
CICPC's Institutional Response
Douglas Rico, the head of the CICPC, issued an official statement condemning the officers' actions as a disgraceful misuse of their duties, exploiting rescue and humanitarian efforts to seize economic assets found in the rubble.
The organization announced the permanent and irrevocable removal of all involved officers from their positions and the initiation of a disciplinary investigation for their immediate dismissal. The officers are to be brought before the courts.
The Ministry of Popular Power for Interior Relations, Justice, and Peace also publicly thanked those who courageously reported the incident and provided evidence of the wrongdoing.
"We express our gratitude to the citizens who, with courage and responsibility, reported these acts and provided the material that exposed the irregularity," they stated.
Cabello's Promise of "Zero Tolerance"
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello took to his Telegram channel to describe the officers' behavior as "shameless, indecent, and immoral," vowing that they will be "judged accordingly."
"We will be completely intolerant of those who, using their uniform, commit acts against morality and good customs, especially during such a major upheaval where individuals may try to exploit the pain and property of others," he declared.
The opposition party Primero Justicia had already criticized the "exploitation by some regime officials who, instead of fulfilling their oath and safeguarding Venezuelan lives, are scavenging through the rubble for personal gain during this tragedy."
Looting Pattern Amidst Disaster
This incident is not isolated. On the same Wednesday, six CICPC officers were detained in the San José de Barlovento Subdelegation, Río Chico, Miranda state, accused of stealing materials from homes damaged by the earthquake.
Looting has been documented in damaged businesses in La Guaira and Catia La Mar since June 25, and five civilians were arrested for theft in evacuated homes on June 28.
All of this unfolds in the wake of Venezuela's most catastrophic seismic event in over a century. The twin earthquakes on June 24, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 just 39 seconds apart, have resulted in 1,943 deaths and 10,571 injuries according to official figures. The UN estimates up to 50,000 people missing, with material damages valued at $6.7 billion.
Cabello himself acknowledged in June that over 28,000 police officers had been dismissed and prosecuted for corruption and extortion in Venezuela over the past two years, indicating that the misconduct by these officers is not an isolated incident but part of a systemic issue within the regime's security forces.
Key Questions About the Venezuelan Police Scandal
Who were the officers involved in the theft?
The officers involved were Aguilar Reyes Maya, Fredy Rafael Lugo Oliveros, Roger Andrés Omaña, and Josué Jhonatan Burgos Sánchez.
What actions did the CICPC take following the incident?
The CICPC permanently removed the officers from their positions and initiated a disciplinary investigation for their immediate dismissal, promising to present them before the courts.
How did the public react to the theft?
The public reacted with outrage, as evidenced by videos showing community members seizing the stolen money from the officer and destroying it in protest.
What was the magnitude of the earthquake that hit Venezuela?
The twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 had magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, occurring just 39 seconds apart.