Police in the north of Colombia have captured one of the top leaders of the criminal band “Los Urabeños,” in charge of coordinating drug trafficking routes to Central America, local media reported Sunday.
Jose Miguel Demoya Hernandez, alias “Julian Chirimoya,” was detained by authorities in Ayapel, in the Cordoba department, and is believed to be the organization’s top commander in the Bajo Cauca region of the Antioquia department. He is supposedly in charge of controlling drug transport and distribution routes from the region to Central America. Los Urabeños’ power base lies in the Antioquia, Choco and Cordoba departments.
The criminal leader and former paramilitary is also allegedly one of the men close to Roberto Vargas Gutierrez, alias “Gavilan,” a member of Los Urabeños’ highest leadership with a $284,000 price tag on his head, reported Caracol Radio.
Demoya Hernandez reportedly had escaped five times from government forces in the past, and was a former member of the now-defunct AUC paramilitary organization’s Calima Bloc, as well as a leader of the AUC in various municipalities in Antioquia, Cordoba and Choco.
The Urabeños leader is charged with drug trafficking, conspiracy to commit crimes, kidnapping and illegally carrying firearms and ammunition at the time of his arrest.