• Uruguayan drug lord Sebastian Marset was arrested in Bolivia and turned over to U.S. authorities.
• The operation involved hundreds of police officers and resulted in additional arrests.
• Marset is accused of managing a major drug trafficking organization responsible for moving cocaine to Europe.
• His capture is seen as a significant step in combating organized crime in the region.
• This arrest reflects increased cooperation between Bolivia and the U.S. in anti-drug efforts.

Notorious Latin American drug kingpin Sebastian Marset was arrested in Bolivia on March 13, 2026. The Uruguayan national had been on the U.S. most-wanted list and was apprehended following a large-scale police operation in Santa Cruz, Bolivia’s economic capital, according to CBS News.

Following his capture, Marset was handed over to U.S. authorities at Santa Cruz airport and placed on a U.S.-bound flight, which underscores the collaboration between Bolivia and the U.S. in combating drug trafficking. "The arrest and deportation were carried out pursuant to a court order issued by the U.S. justice system," stated Marco Antonio Oviedo, a senior minister in Bolivia, citing cooperation between international law enforcement agencies, according to Le Monde and Al Jazeera.

Marset, 34, is considered one of South America's most dangerous drug traffickers, allegedly leading a criminal operation responsible for importing over 16 tonnes of cocaine into Europe. His arrest is a significant milestone in the fight against drug trafficking as Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz described the operation as a turning point in confronting organized crime, which reflects his government's strategic alignment with U.S. anti-drug initiatives, according to CBS News and Al Jazeera.

The U.S. has offered a reward of $2 million for Marset's capture due to his extensive drug trafficking activities and his alleged involvement in money laundering operations. He reportedly used the profits from his drug trade to invest in lower-level soccer teams across Latin America and Europe, a strategy that is said to have helped him launder money, according to Le Monde.

Marset had been on the run since July 2023, after escaping a police operation aimed at capturing him. His apprehension further demonstrates increasing cooperation among South American nations and the U.S. in tackling drug-related violence and trafficking. In an ongoing effort, Bolivia's police chief Mirko Sokol hinted at more forthcoming raids and investigations into potential accomplices, including corrupt police officers, according to CBS News and Al Jazeera.