A leader of the drug-trafficking organization “Los Rastrojos” on Thursday was killed by anti-narcotics police in Colombia’s northwest Antioquia department.
Also recovered by authorities were 15 uniforms of the Colombian armed forces.
Police say Alex 15 was leading a conflict against neo-paramilitary group, “Los Urabeños”, for control over illegal mining and extortion of legal mining, which has caused an increase in homicides in the area. There were also disputes between the two gangs over cocaine trafficking routes.
PROFILE: Los Urabeños
Before joining Los Rastrojos, Alex 15 was a member of the bloc of the now-defunct paramilitary group, the AUC.
PROFILE: AUC
Los Rastrojos suffered a series of setbacks in 2012 as many of its leaders and members turned themselves in to Colombian authorities.
NEWS ARCHIVE: Los Rastrojos