Police in the southwest Colombian Nariño department have arrested 23 alleged members of the drug trafficking organization “Los Rastrojos,” the defense minister confirmed Wednesday.
Colombian media reported that these members are allegedly responsible for the eight murders in the municipalities in Ipiales, Tumaco, and Pasto in Nariño.
According to newspaper El Tiempo, National Police deputy director Jose Leon Riaño said the suspects were arrested for murder, conspiracy to commit a crime, financing of illegal armed groups, illegal possession of weapons, and terrorism.
Authorities also raided a cocaine laboratory in which they seized 10 kilos of coca base, a vehicle, eight motorcycles, four AK-47s, several other guns, and Armed Forces uniforms.
Los Rastrojos are considered Colombia’s most powerful drug cartel. The drug trafficking organization was formed from the ashes of the now-defunct Norte del Valle cartel and operates throughout the country.