Colombia’s National Police on Thursday claimed the arrest of an alleged ringleader of neo-paramilitary group “Los Urabeños” who is thought to run the Pacific drug trafficking activities of the organization.
According to Radio Caracol, National Police chief Jose Roberto Leon confirmed the arrest of “El Negro Orlando.”
The alleged drug trafficker was captured, along with one other person, while driving his bullet-proof car in the southwestern city of Cali, in an operation organized by the judicial and intelligence branch of the Colombian police.
“El Negro Orlando” is suspected of running the Urabeños’ operations along the coast of the Valle del Cauca and Choco departments and allegedly was taking part in neo-paramilitary operations in the port city of Buenaventura, where the Urabeños are fighting another criminal named “Empresa.”
Last Thursday another alleged Urabeños leader, alias “El Negro Sarley”, was killed after a military operation in the Colombian department of Antioquia.
MORE: ‘Urabeños’ leader dead: Defense Minister
The Urabeños are a neo-paramilitary group, which was formed in the north of the country during the official demobilization of paramilitary organization AUC between 2003 and 2006. Since then they have expanded throughout the country and make money through drug trafficking, extortion and contract-killings.
El Negro Orlando’s alleged area of operations
Sources
- Capturan a alias el “Negro Orlando”, jefe de los Urabeños en el Valle del Cauca (Radio Caracol)
- Capturado segundo al mando de “Los Urabeños” en Buenaventura (RCN Radio)
- Cae cabecilla de ‘Los Urabeños’ en Valle y Chocó (El Espectador)
