Colombian authorities captured over 25 alleged criminal gang leaders and members Thursday, through special Operation Dignity as a part of Plan Troy, reports Colombian media.
Operation Dignity successfully captured four alleged leaders of “Los Paisas,” “Los Rastrojos” and “Los Urbaños” gangs. The group also included two police officers and two active Colombian military soldiers operating in the lower Sinu area.
A suspected ringleader, alias “El Viejo,” was captured in the municipality of Puerto Liberator. El Viejo is allegedly a top boss of the “Los Urabeños” gang, and has 18 charges against him for murder and extortion.
A woman, alias “Gina,” was also apprehended for being allegedly responsible for the financial aspects of the criminal organizations and participating in terrorist attacks in Lorica.
The group also included suspected online military boss, alias “El Gato” and alias “Douglas” a local boss in San Antero. Alias “Jairo” has also been detained, and according to authorities suspected of being the boss of the “Los Paisas” assassination group in the Caribbean.
The captured were reportedly found in the municipalities of San Antero, Puerto Liberator, Monteria, Moñitos, and Lorica in the northwest department of Cordoba. The suspects were brought to court in Monteria for their crimes: including counts of murder, drug-trafficking, extortion, and conspiracy to commit aggravated crime.
According to Cordoba Police Commander Hector Paez, the special investigation and operation has been ongoing for the last eight months, with the goal of individualizing and identifying the gang leaders and members. Plan Troy is a huge offensive against gangs in Colombia that has so far captured roughly 870 criminals.