During the last weeks, the Huila Police Department has alerted ranchers in the region about rustling practices and livestock theft that have occurred in some areas.
The most recent case that has caused great rejection occurred in the municipality of Baraya, located near the city of Neiva and also on the border with the department of Tolima.
The Police Commander in the department of Huila, Colonel Carlos Eduardo Téllez Betancourt, told this media outlet that the capture of two men, recovery of the stolen livestock and the immobilization of a Twingo car and a motorcycle.
“Timely information from the community allowed the uniformed officers to initially intercept a motorcycle, which was driving a vehicle, in which, “The uniformed officers found a steer tied by its legs in the trunk of the Twingo car.”says the Huila Police.
Likewise, the authorities told EL TIEMPO, The main purpose of this type of theft is to commercialize the animal’s meat illegally.this crime is known as rustling.
“With this procedure, there are now 4 men that we have captured for this same crime and using the same modality for cattle theft,” added Colonel Carlos Téllez, commander of the Huila Police Department.
Likewise, the Huila Police told EL TIEMPO that this is not the only case of livestock theft that has occurred in this modality, since a few days ago a vehicle was seized in the municipality of Pitalito, where Two sheep were being mobilized tied to the inside of a high-end truck.
“They were immediately captured and taken to the facilities of the Criminal Investigation Section, where the automotive expert was able to determine that the chassis of the vehicle does not correspond to the original,” said the Colonel.
The Huila Police Department, headed by Colonel Carlos Eduardo Téllez Betancourt, invites ranchers and residents of rural areas to report any type of suspicion to the official numbers 123 and 165.
What is the fine and penalty for the crime of rustling in Colombia?
“Whoever appropriates for himself or another fully identified species of bovines, horses, and swine, will incur a prison sentence of sixty (60) to one hundred twenty (120) months and a fine of twenty-five (25) to fifty (50) minimum wages. “monthly legal regulations in force”.
“Whoever, to carry out the conduct of rustling, uses a motor vehicle, movable and immovable property, these will be subject to forfeiture of ownership under the terms of Law 1708 of 2014,” he adds.
ALEJANDRA HERNÁNDEZ TORRES
DIGITAL SCOPE EDITORIAL
TIME