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 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.
This reward offer comes after an extensive investigation known as Operation A Ultranza Py—the largest cocaine trafficking investigation in Paraguayan history—connecting Marset's criminal network to over 16 tons of cocaine seized in Europe. Notable seizures include an 11-ton haul at Antwerp port in April 2021 and another 4.7 tons confiscated in Paraguay. The operation involved collaboration 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 reach out to their local DEA office if within the United States.
"The Secretary authorized today’s reward offer under TOCRP," which aims "to disrupt transnational crime globally and bring fugitives to justice." All identities will be kept confidential; however, government officials and employees are not eligible for rewards.
Further details can be found by downloading a full information PDF or viewing the web version of the poster offering a reward for information on Sebastian Marset.