Colombian anti-narcotics officials have confirmed the seizure of over $6.9 million worth of assets belonging to the girlfriend of deceased Norte del Valle Cartel boss Wilber Varela, alias “Jabon”.
In an interview with W Radio, Colonel Carlos Enrique Rodriguez, Deputy Director of the Colombian anti-narcotics police, confirmed the seizure of 70 properties and other commercial assets, which had belonged to Norte del Valle Cartel associate France Siris Yunda Zuniga. Colonel Enrique Rodriguez revealed that their investigation had uncovered evidence that Yunda Zuniga’s acquisition of the properties in question was paid for with money acquired from drug trafficking activity.
“After two years of research we have managed to compile a sufficient body of evidence to show that the acquisition of properties was paid for with the proceeds from drug trafficking activities,” Rodriguez Gonzalez explained.
It is suspected that the properties were purchased by Yunda Zinga and other Varela family members to launder the Norte del Valle Cartel’s profits.
The operation, known as “Republic 21: Phase VIII”, was a joint effort between the anti-narcotics wing of the national police and the attorney general’s office.
The properties in question are scattered around Bogota, Cali and the municipalities of Guacarí, Yubo, Sevilla, Palmira and Florida in the Cauca valley.
Jabon was killed in January 2008 at the tourist resort of Los Angeles Lomas in Merida, Venezuela.