Chile opens investigation after most daring robbery in history

The Chilean government announced on August 13 that it had dismissed and ordered an investigation into the head of aviation security at Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport in the capital Santiago after a robbery of more than 4 billion pesos (equivalent to 7 million USD) occurred at the airport just one day earlier.

This is the most daring robbery with the largest amount of money stolen in the history of this South American country.

Chilean police at the scene of the robbery. (Source: EFE)

Speaking at a press conference, Chilean Defense Minister Jorge Burgos confirmed that the person in charge of airport security, Arturo Merino Benitez, had been removed from his position while the incident was investigated.

According to him, this is a "regrettable" and "serious" incident, and is also a warning for the need to review and adjust airport security measures.

Chilean Interior Minister Mahmud Aleauy called the robbery "shameful," suggesting that the security system at Arturo Merino Benitez airport was completely helpless in the face of this "unique" robbery.

In addition to the Defense Ministry investigation, the Chilean Civil Aviation Administration has also launched an investigation into the effectiveness of security at the international airport. The purpose of the investigation is to determine whether security measures were properly implemented at the time of the robbery.

According to Chilean media, the robbery occurred on August 12 when a group of eight armed robbers neutralized the escort of a cash truck belonging to the American security company Brink's at a loading point in Arturo Merino Benitez Airport, stealing more than 4 billion pesos in cash. This amount of money was transported to the airport to be transferred to banks and mining projects in northern Chile by air.

Initial information said that all 8 robbers disguised themselves as airport ground staff to approach the money transport vehicle. They then controlled the escort group and the driver to transfer 24 bags of money to 2 trucks before throwing away their weapons and fleeing.

During the incident, the robbers did not encounter any resistance or any gunshots were fired because the staff escorting the money transport vehicle did not carry weapons according to international aviation law.

One of the two trucks was later set on fire by the robbers 3 km from the airport. The truck was stolen on July 21. This is the second time Brink's has been robbed at Arturo Merino Benitez Airport. The previous robbery took place in 2006 and involved the loss of $1.6 million./.

According to VNA