Colombia police recorded their “greatest blow” against criminal gangs this year after capturing the leader of a dissident neo-paramilitary gang.
Colombia National Police Commander, General Jose Roberto Leon told local media that the arrest of Alonso Edward Suarez, alias “Calamisco,” represents “the first capture of a leader of a criminal gang in 2013.” According to the police commander, Calamisco had a “15-year criminal history and is responsible for many crimes” which allegedly includes homicides, drug-trafficking and extortion against cattle ranchers in the south-central Meta department.
The gang leader was supposedly the right-hand-man of Pedro Oliveiro, alias “Cuchillo,” the fallen leader of the neo-paramiltiary group ERPAC. ERPAC formed in 2005 during the demobilization and disarmament of AUC paramilitaries, a process started by former President Alvaro Uribe in 2003 which ended in 2006.
According to General Leon Riano, Calamisco was arrested in the municipality of San Martin in the Meta department along with three accomplices. Several weapons were also confiscated.