Four individuals were detained Wednesday following a series of raids in Villa Gobernador Gálvez and searches within the Piñero prison, prompted by criminal charges of extortion against Diego Lavezzi, the current president of Coronel Aguirre football club and brother of former Argentine national team player Ezequiel “Pocho” Lavezzi. The investigation centers around allegations that the group sought to illicitly profit from the club and its supporters.
The operations, largely conducted in Villa Gobernador Gálvez, were carried out by the Unidad de Violencias Altamente Lesivas (Unit for Highly Harmful Violence) of the Santa Fe Provincial Police (PDI), according to local reports. Those arrested are suspected of being active members of the Coronel Aguirre *barra brava* – the organized supporters’ group often associated with violence and intimidation in Argentine football.
The investigation, led by prosecutor Carla Ranciari of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, alleges the extortion scheme aimed to secure illegal funds from the *barra brava*. Authorities believe the group was falsifying tickets for resale at inflated prices on match days. They likewise reportedly pressured Lavezzi to provide them with a physical space within the stadium for illicit financial activities, according to reports from Rosario3.
Connections to Wider Networks
The investigation has uncovered potential links between the Coronel Aguirre *barra brava* and that of Newell’s Traditional Boys, another prominent Rosario-based football club. Milton T. (43), one of the four arrested individuals, is reportedly involved with both groups. Significantly, Milton T. Is a permanent employee in the public services department of the Municipality of Villa Gobernador Gálvez.
This connection appears to center around Leandro “Pollo” Vinardi, a known figure associated with the *paravalanchas* (organized groups of supporters known for violence) of Newell’s Old Boys, and currently incarcerated. Vinardi is described as the right-hand man of Ariel Máximo “Guille” Cantero, the leader of the Los Monos gang, a notorious criminal organization in the Rosario area. Rosario3 detailed the connections between Los Monos and the Newell’s barra brava in a report last year.
Recent Club Sanctions and Prison Searches
Coronel Aguirre faced suspension from the Torneo Federal and the regional amateur league last year following a violent incident involving weapons and physical altercations after a match in Puerto San Martín in November. As a result of these sanctions, the club currently only competes in the Rosarian league.
Simultaneous with the raids on residences, authorities conducted searches in pavilions 6, 7, 10, and 26 of the Piñero prison, targeting inmates linked to Los Monos. During these searches, a smartwatch containing a SIM card was discovered hidden inside a mattress in pavilion 6. Such devices are frequently used by incarcerated individuals to maintain communication and direct activities from within prison walls.
Authorities also searched Marcos Jeremías “Pato” McCaddon, a former associate of Cantero, who is allegedly involved in drug trafficking in the industrial corridor and northern areas of Rosario, and a former leader of the Newell’s Old Boys *barra brava*. McCaddon was convicted of drug trafficking in September 2023.
During the raids, police seized 21 cell phones, approximately three kilograms of cannabis plants, 69 cartridges of various calibers, two firearms, and counterfeit tickets for Coronel Aguirre matches. Authorities also recovered two motorcycles and more than one million pesos in cash. All four detainees are now in custody and will face formal charges of extortion in the coming days.
The investigation into the extortion of Diego Lavezzi and the alleged criminal activities of the Coronel Aguirre *barra brava* highlights the ongoing challenges of organized crime and violence surrounding Argentine football. The case underscores the complex interplay between football hooliganism, local politics, and established criminal organizations like Los Monos.
Authorities have not released a timeline for the next steps in the investigation, but a preliminary hearing for the four detainees is expected within the next week. Further updates will be provided as they become available.
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