The Colombian National Police have arrested 35 members of the “Clan Galeano” who are wanted by the United States for trug trafficking in conjunction with their partners in Mexico and Central America, they announced Monday.
The alleged drug traffickers were arrested specifically for extradition in what Police Director General Oscar Naranjo called “the largest number captured for extradition in the country’s history.”
The police carried out simultaneous raids all over the country and also seized nearly $1 million in cash.
Over the 8 month investigation the police have also seized 11 tons of cocaine and 25 aircraft which had been transporting over a ton of cocaine hydrochloride weekly.
“A second phase of investigation will be concentrated particularly on disrupting the facilitators and collaborators of the mafia structure. We refer promptly to air traffic controllers and some former officials and immigration officials,” said Naranjo.
The Clan Galeano inherited the cocaine empire of Medellin cartel co-founder Carlos Ledher Rivas after his capture in 1987.