Chile drug bust entangles Boca's Carlos Palacios through family ties

Carlos Palacios, seen training with Boca Juniors in a Foto Prensa Boca image, became linked to a Chile drug probe after Sebastián Soto Guerra, father of his partner Alexia Catalina, was arrested as a presumed leader of the criminal gang Los Pájaros de La Legua during a large‑scale anti‑narcotics raid.

The raid, part of Operation Mar de Drake II, Norte Rojo II and Capitanes, resulted in the seizure of nearly 1.5 tonnes of cocaine, heroin, cannabis, firearms, high‑end vehicles and cash, valued at about 19 million dollars.

Chilean media T13 and Emol reported that Soto Guerra had been a primary target of an investigation lasting several months, and at the time of his arrest he was travelling in a Mercedes‑Benz registered to Palacios, allegedly carrying between 30 and 70 bricks of cocaine.

Investigators also searched a rented home of Soto Guerra’s daughter, finding additional drugs, weapons and another luxury vehicle also registered to Palacios, which caused the footballer’s name to appear in the judicial file, though no formal charge has been filed against him.

"The father‑in‑law of this player was one of the main targets of a long‑running investigation. Drug seizures had already been made previously," said Alex Cortés, head of the SAC Metropolitana Sur prosecutor’s office.

Regional prosecutor Héctor Barros added that the office does not dismiss any hypothesis, stating, "All possibilities remain that individuals could be charged or act as witnesses." He emphasized that the investigation remains open.

Authorities emphasized that the legal process currently concerns only those formally charged, and that no accusation has been made against Palacios; any future liability would depend on new evidence uncovered as the investigation proceeds.