Leonardi Airaldi, known as the 'narco rancher', allegedly orchestrated a scheme to assassinate Federal Judge Leandro Ríos of Paraná and Federal Prosecutor José Ignacio Candioti. The operation was revealed through local justice sources, which stated that Airaldi planned to pay a Uruguayan hitman $40,000 to carry out the murders during the judges' vacations in Uruguay. However, investigations uncovered that neither judge was in Uruguay nor had any travel plans to go there.

The effort to dismantle the assassination plot was executed by the Gendarmería Nacional under the request of Federal Prosecutor Pedro Rebollo and with the order from Federal Judge Hernán Viri of Gualeguaychú. The operation took place at Unit 9 of the Gualeguaychú Penal Complex, where Airaldi is currently detained awaiting his trial. The plot reflects the ongoing issues with organized crime in the region and the lengths to which drug traffickers will go to eliminate legal obstacles.

This incident highlights significant concerns about the safety of judicial officials in Argentina, especially in cases related to drug trafficking. It raises questions about the broader implications of narcotics-related violence and the mechanisms needed to ensure the protection of judiciary members. Law enforcement's swift action in this instance might serve as a warning to other potential threats against the judiciary, emphasizing the importance of vigilance in these turbulent times.