At least ten alleged drug traffickers have been assassinated just outside the Pacific port city of Buenaventura in what seems to be a war between drug trafficking gangs, Colombia’s police said Saturday.
The massacre took place on Friday in the rural district of Potedo where authorities found the lifeless bodies of ten men. According to police spokesmen, investigators were still searching the area for more possible victims.
According to the Buenaventura police commander, the victims were part of a group of 14 men that passed a nearby police checkpoint a day before their death.
“These persons’ cars were spotted at a police checkpoint at 1AM Thursday, but as nothing was found that would merit their detention they were let go,” Colonel Oscar Gomez told press.
According to Gomez, all victims were wearing expensive clothing which led to investigators to assume that the massacre was the result of ongoing tensions between drug trafficking organizations in the area.
Buenaventura, a crucial port for Colombian drug traffickers, has seen 23 homicides in the first 12 days of the year.