The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs has announced a reward offer under the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program (TOCRP). The reward, up to $2 million, is for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Sebastian Marset, a Uruguayan narcotics trafficker and money launderer.
In conjunction with this announcement, the Department of Justice has unsealed an indictment against Marset on charges related to money laundering. These charges involve the movement of drug proceeds through U.S. financial institutions. Marset is also wanted in South America, facing organized crime charges in Paraguay and Bolivia. In August 2023, Bolivian authorities offered a separate $100,000 reward for his capture.
The TOCRP reward offer comes after Operation A Ultranza Py, described as the largest organized crime investigation in Paraguayan history against cocaine trafficking. This operation linked Marset's criminal network to over 16 tons of cocaine seized in Europe. Significant seizures included an 11-ton haul at Antwerp's port in April 2021 and another 4.7-ton seizure in Paraguay. The investigation was coordinated with several agencies including Paraguay’s Special Investigative Unit and Anti-Drug Secretariat (SIU-SENAD), the Uruguayan Interior Ministry, Europol, and the DEA Asuncion Country Office.
Individuals with information are encouraged to contact the DEA via email at MarsetTips@dea.gov or through local DEA offices within the United States.
"The Secretary authorizes today's reward offer under TOCRP," stated spokesperson Tammy Bruce, "which supports law enforcement efforts to disrupt transnational crime globally and bring fugitives to justice."
All identities provided will remain confidential; however, government officials and employees are not eligible for rewards.