Argentine authorities arrested 42-year-old attorney Facundo Leal on Saturday, following a raid that uncovered more than $2 million in cash and a quantity of narcotics at his private residence. Leal, who previously served as the president of the state-owned telecommunications firm ARSAT and as a director of the National Airport System Regulatory Body (ORSNA), is now the subject of a federal criminal investigation.
The operation that led to the arrest was initially authorized to investigate the alleged theft of IT assets and missing technological equipment from ARSAT, following a formal complaint filed by the government. During the execution of the search warrants related to these missing assets, investigators unexpectedly discovered the large sums of cash and illicit substances, according to sources cited by the outlet Página 12.
Leal has held significant roles within the Argentine public administration for several years. He assumed the presidency of ARSAT in 2022 under the administration of former President Alberto Fernández and maintained his position within the firm despite the change in government leadership. In 2025, the administration of President Javier Milei appointed Leal to lead ORSNA, a role he held until his resignation in late February 2026. Despite his departure from the regulatory body, he remained linked to ARSAT as a permanent staff member at the time of his arrest.
The case has been placed under the jurisdiction of federal judge Lino Mirabelli. Judicial sources told La Tercera that the current investigation is focused on establishing the origin of the seized funds and their potential destination. Authorities are also working to determine if the money is linked to broader irregularities, including potential illicit maneuvers involving contracts and operations within the state-owned telecommunications company.
Leal remains in federal custody as the investigation proceeds. The case has expanded significantly since the initial discovery, with prosecutors now examining a complex web of potential penal, economic, and political implications stemming from the evidence recovered at the defendant's property.
