Court upholds detention of eight men in salmon theft case.
The Court of Appeals of Puerto Montt has upheld preventive detention orders for eight men accused of stealing salmon worth $146,000 in Quellón, according to SoyChile.
The men were among 17 detained by the Chilean Navy in the early hours of 12 August in the Cheter area.
Authorities intercepted the motor vessel Valeria, which was carrying around 10 tonnes of rainbow trout allegedly stolen from Salmones Antártica storage facilities in Puerto Chacabuco, Aysén Region.
Of the 17 detained, two minors were released, while 15 adults were charged before the Quellón court for the offence of theft from aquaculture centres. Eight face charges as direct perpetrators, while the remainder were accused of acting as accomplices. Two of the accused were also charged with criminal association.
The Court of Appeals said the decision to maintain preventive detention was based on the seriousness of the offences, the fact the crimes were committed by a group, and the potential risks posed to society and the investigation if the men were released.
