Suspected South American Drug Kingpin Arrested in Bolivia, Transferred to US

'Sebastián Marset’s reign of terror and chaos is over,' the U.S. State Department said.

Published: 3/16/2026, 4:19:12 PM EDT

Suspected South American Drug Kingpin Arrested in Bolivia, Transferred to US — Undated photographs of Sebastián Marset who was arrested in Bolivia on March 13, 2026. (Courtesy of the U.S. State Department)

Sebastián ⁠Marset, the alleged head of a South American cartel, was arrested in Bolivia on March 13 and transferred over the weekend to U.S. custody, where he has been indicted for money laundering, according to officials.

Marset, 34, is accused of leading the First Uruguayan Cartel (Primer Cartel Uruguayo, or PCU), and is wanted in Paraguay and Bolivia on organized crime charges related to cocaine trafficking between South American countries and Europe. He was indicted in the United States on money laundering charges, according to the U.S. State Department.

On May 21, 2025, the U.S. government issued a reward of up to $2 million for information leading to his arrest or conviction.

Bolivian Interior Minister Marco Antonio Oviedo told a news conference on March 13 that nobody was killed or injured in the operation that led to the arrest of Marset, who was immediately transferred to the United States.

Oviedo said the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) did not take part in the arrest operation but was involved in transferring him to the United States. It is not clear whether anyone has claimed the $2 million reward or provided information that led to Marset's arrest.

Marset was indicted on March 7, 2024, in the United States for money laundering "stemming from the movement of drug proceeds from his organization through U.S. financial institutions," according to the State Department.

In a March 13 post on X, the State Department said, "Sebastián Marset’s reign of terror and chaos is over."

The State Department thanked Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz for his leadership and said Marset would face justice because of the "rapidly strengthening U.S.-Bolivia law enforcement cooperation."

Paz told reporters on March 13 that Bolivia "achieved something significant."

"Not only for our nation, but also for the region and all of humanity. One of the drug traffickers and criminals considered among the four largest on the continent has been captured," he said.

"The capture of Mr. Marset marks a turning point in the fight against organized crime, but also reaffirms the government's commitment to fighting international and national criminal groups."

Last month, the Bolivian government said it restored cooperation with the DEA after 17 years.

Paz was one of a number of Western Hemisphere leaders who met with U.S. President Donald Trump on March 7 in Florida at a summit to discuss tackling Latin American cartels.

DEA Administrator Terrance Cole said in a March 14 statement that when the agency put Marset on a list of most wanted fugitives a year ago, it came "with a commitment to relentlessly pursue and dismantle his drug trafficking organization."

"This arrest marks a significant step towards a safer, more secure America," Cole said, "This weekend’s actions reflect the dedication of the men and women of DEA and the power of strong partnerships."

Marset was linked in 2022 by ⁠Colombian President Gustavo Petro to the assassination of Marcelo Pecci, one of Paraguay's leading anti-crime prosecutors, who was shot dead on a Colombian beach while on his honeymoon. Marset has not been charged in that case.

Reuters contributed to this report.

From The Epoch Times