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Home » Drug War Chronicle » Issue #741

Puerto Rico Narcotics Officer Ambushed, Killed

by psmith, June 28, 2012, 02:53pm, (Issue #741)
Posted in:

https://stopthedrugwar.org/files/officer-victor-soto-velez.jpg
Victor Soto-Velez
An off-duty Puerto Rican police officer was shot and killed last Tuesday night in what local news reports are calling an ambush related to his work as a drug agent. Officer Victor Soto-Velez, 37, becomes the 29th person to die in US domestic drug law enforcement operations so far this year.

According to the newspaper Primera Hora, Soto-Velez was driving his Ford Explorer on a highway in Camuy when he was ambushed. He was able to provide information about his assailants before he died.

As police investigated, they encountered a burning vehicle in the vicinity that matched the description of the attackers' vehicle provided by Soto-Velez.

Local police told Primera Hora that almost as soon as the shooting occurred, they received information that the attack had been directed specifically at Soto-Velez, who been an agent of Puerto Rican Police Division of Drugs in Arecibo.

Soto-Velez, a 13-year veteran of the force, left behind two daughters, aged 11 and 19.

No suspects have been arrested so far.

Camuy, PR
United States
See map: Google Maps
Permission to Reprint: This article is licensed under a modified Creative Commons Attribution license.
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Collatoral Damage

by kickback (not verified), June 30, 2012, 10:09pm

Imagine if Mexico drug war statistics were added to USA drug war statistics . The drug war encourages collateral damage .

A true hero

by Andre Bishop (not verified), January 09, 2015, 05:37am

Officer Victor Soto-Velez, you are a true hero and an inspiration in capturing the drug dealers to prevent the increasing number of drug trafficking in the country. Thank you for your great service in your country. I also thank Psmith for sharing this blog.

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