One of the attacks took place in one of the La Economía drugstores in Montería.
Photo: National Federation of Departments
The authorities announced that they will reinforce security in Córdoba, after the attack on seven branches of the La Economía drugstore chain, which occurred in Montería, San Pelayo, San Carlos, Cereté and Ciénaga de Oro, after, apparently, the owners refused to pay extortions.
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The attacks occurred simultaneously, on the morning of last Monday, April 22. Armed individuals shot at the facades of the establishments and in some cases intimidated the employees and forced them to close the drugstores. No one was injured, but the violent action generated fear in the community.
“The events are related to extortion issues and the responsibility for these events corresponds to the Javier Yepes Cantero substructure of the Organized Armed Group (GAO) Clan del Golfo,” said Colonel Carlos García Suárez, commander of the Montería Metropolitan Police.
In addition to this, the authorities indicated that around 100 uniformed officers were deployed in the areas where the attacks occurred, and García Suárez assured that the authorities are already carrying out investigations to find those responsible for the events.
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“Since the first day of this year, actions against extortion have been generated, having significant results in the development of operations carried out by the Police Gaula, as we have also developed operations with the Military Gaula and the Technical Investigation Corps , in the jurisdictions of Montería, Ciénaga de Oro, Cereté, San Carlos and Pelayo,” argued the commander of the Montería Police.
Additionally, the Secretary of the Interior and Citizen Participation of Córdoba, Gabriel Méndez, pointed out that a security council is planned for this Tuesday to take joint actions to confront the problems of extortion in the department.
An alert from the Ombudsman’s Office had already drawn attention to the expansion of the Javier Yepes Cantero structure through the municipalities of Montería, Cereté and Planeta Rica, as well as Medio Sinú and Sabanas, where they have control of criminal income.
