crime

Drug defendants released

A judge has ordered six people, including a former member of the Policía Nacional, be released from prison on drug charges because of lack of evidence.

The former police officer, Oscar Eraso, as well as Ismael Araúz, Jairo Vásquez, Alexis Laguna, Jairo Perigault and Yasmal Restrepo, were all arrested last November as part of an operation called "Ley Patriótica." That operation resulted in 70 arrests and the seizure of more than $30 million.

But the case has been getting smaller as nine of the suspects have now been ordered released, including the six who were freed yesterday.

San Miguelito Criminal Court Judge Manuel Correa ordered the men released after he reviewed the evidence in the case and found nothing that tied the defendants to the alleged crimes.

Prosecutor Edwin Guardia said he would appeal, saying there is enough evidence to convict the defendants.