A coordinated operation between the Anti-Narcotics Police and the Attorney General’s Office led to the capture of six members of a transnational drug trafficking organization, which operated from Medellín. The detainees, who were reached by the authorities at various points between Medellín and La Unión, in Antioquia, allowed the seizure of more than two tons of cocaine, which were destined for Central America and Europe.
Radio media information RCN Radio, released the details of the police version. Colonel Ricardo Sánchez, director of the Anti-Narcotics Police, stated that The detainees are investigated for trafficking, manufacturing and possession of narcotics, and conspiracy to commit a crime for drug trafficking purposes.
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He even stated that the finances of said organization would exceed 13,000 million pesos, as was also reported. Likewise, an investigative process was initiated for extinction of the right of ownership against the members of the network.
One of those captured was José Gilbert Molina Molina, alias Skinny or Machacho, who was in charge of coordinating the production and trafficking of cocaine from various subregions of Antioquia. Operation Yuma, as it was identified, was developed under the Esmeralda Plus anti-crime strategy, which seeks to dismantle drug trafficking organizations with transnational reach.
During the operation, more than two tons of cocaine ready for export were found, the value of which exceeds 81 million dollars in the US market (through Central America) and more than 133 million euros in the European market. According to Colonel Sánchez, with this seizure, more than 6 million doses were prevented from reaching consumption and the marketing of 7 million additional doses was blocked.
Additionally, additional details indicated that the gang would have used modified vehicles with clandestine compartments as one of the key methods for transporting the drugs. The organization also used intermediaries to contaminate containers in the country’s seaports.. Those captured were placed at the disposal of the authorities and will face legal proceedings for their involvement in these illicit activities.
Another operation, which was reported on May 24, resulted in the capture of eight people accused of being part of a criminal network dedicated to the production and shipment of cocaine to Central America and the United States, through the Gulf of Urabá. According to the information disclosed, the organization had clandestine laboratories in Necoclí, Antioquia, to process the drugs.
The forceful action was carried out in coordination with the sectional Prosecutor’s Office of the department of Antioquia and presented to a prosecutor from the Specialized Directorate against Drug Trafficking.
The investigation revealed that the drugs were transferred to the Urabá port terminal for subsequent shipment in containers. Those arrested were identified as Ómar de Jesús Hoyos Castañeda, alias The Feather, alleged ringleader and main financier; Carlos Aníbal Hoyos Castañeda, alias Caliche, in charge of logistics; Jhon Fredy Ramírez Urrego, alias Nito, laboratory administrator; and José Manuel Mejía Ibáñez, alias Mañeamong others.
The Prosecutor’s Office charged them with the crime of conspiracy to commit a crime for the purposes of drug trafficking, but the detainees did not accept the charges and must comply with a security measure in a prison center.
During the operation, 899 kilograms of cocaine, 975 kilograms of solid chemical inputs and 4,340 gallons of liquid inputs were seized, and a laboratory was destroyed. The authorities confirmed that these operations will continue in the Gulf of Urabá, a strategic area for drug trafficking and migrant smuggling. The use of its geography by illegal armed groups facilitates the shipment of drugs abroad.
