Professional espionage equipment found in the home of the former president of ARSAT
- In addition to two million dollars and drugs, investigators found a suitcase with 19 intelligence devices at Facundo Leal's residence. - The court ordered a forensic examination of all items, and a pen drive may be key. - They also seized four cell phones and will attempt to access their content.
The investigation centered on the former head of ARSAT and the National Airport System Regulatory Body (ORSNA), Facundo Leal, has taken an unexpected turn: during a raid on his apartment in Palermo Chico, the Federal Police seized a series of devices typically used in covert surveillance and espionage.
According to the newspaper La Nación, agents found a specially equipped suitcase containing at least 19 pieces of professional equipment. These included hidden cameras and recorders camouflaged in everyday objects such as glasses, a pen, a car key, a remote control, and a computer mouse.
Investigators focused on one item in particular: a pen drive. Federal prosecutor of San Isidro, Federico Domínguez, ordered it to be examined to determine whether it contains data and if it might serve as storage for the equipment's recordings. The prosecutor also ordered forensic analysis of all seized espionage devices and four of Leal's cell phones.
"The discovery of espionage equipment is truly striking. Finding a spy suitcase is highly unusual, especially in the possession of a high-ranking official," one investigator told Clarín.
[Image: Facundo Leal, Photo: Maxi Failla]
The Federal Police also seized a radiofrequency detector capable of locating hidden cameras, spy microphones, GPS trackers, a geolocation device with a built-in microphone and satellite tracking capability, a signal jammer designed to block cell phone communications, WiFi networks, and satellite positioning systems. Additionally, they found an Iridium 9555 satellite phone, used for communication in areas without conventional coverage.
All equipment was stored neatly inside a hard-sided suitcase with compartments specially designed for each device.
The material was seized along with $2.4 million in cash ($800,000 in his Palermo apartment and nearly $1.8 million in a house in Mendoza), as well as Argentine pesos and foreign currency. But drugs were also found: 128 grams of ketamine, 164 grams of MDMA crystals, 72 MDMA pills, 14 grams of cocaine, a cannabis vape pen, and 15 spoons for consumption.
Due to the substances, Leal was arrested. He was questioned by Federal Judge Lino Mirabelli of San Isidro. The former official claimed the drugs were for personal use. He did not request release and remains detained in the Dangerous Drugs Division of the Federal Police. "Drugs, cash, and espionage equipment—all together could mean many things," analyzed a source consulted.
[Image: Alberto Fernández and Javier Milei, the presidents under whom Leal served]
All the seized items were obtained in procedures ordered in a case initiated in 2024, investigating a corruption scheme at ARSAT involving the hiring of the company Argentina Logistic Services (ALS) to provide material custody and safekeeping. However, the court detected a rigged tender and bribes to benefit a company that did not meet the requirements for the job. The case originated from a complaint about a theft at an ALS warehouse.
For this reason, prosecutor Domínguez requested indictments for 10 defendants, including former ARSAT officials, ALS executives, and intermediaries, and ordered searches of the agency and other private residences.
Leal had assumed office during the government of Alberto Fernández. With the arrival of Milei, he remained at ARSAT until 2025, when he was appointed head of the ORSNA, resigning in February. He then returned to ARSAT as a permanent staff employee.
The former official appears in WhatsApp messages of other defendants, such as ARSAT's purchasing deputy manager Gerardo Boschin or Diego Padilla of ALS.
For the court, there is little doubt that the more than two million dollars found in Leal's homes are linked to corruption. A key element in the case will be the former official's cell phones. Four were seized: two Samsung models and two latest-generation iPhones (17 and 18).
Prosecutor Domínguez has requested that the Directorate General of Investigations and Technological Support for Criminal Investigation (DATIP) conduct forensic analysis. Access will not be easy, first because Leal did not provide his passwords, and second because the latest phones are difficult to unlock.
Along with the operations at Leal's properties, there were other raids—including at ARSAT itself—where more phones and computers were seized and will also be analyzed. The case is under seal as additional investigative measures are underway.
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Martín Angulo Martín Angulo Politics section writer mangulo@clarin.com Full bio
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