Colombian police seized $815,000 and arrested four people on suspicion of laundering drug trafficking money in the Caribbean port of Santa Marta.
The detainees, believed to be members of an organization with branches in Brazil and Colombia, were arrested when they attempted to transport the cash from Santa Marta to Bogota‘s El Dorado airport in suitcases, police reported.
According to police, the operation attempted to evade authorities by flying from Sao Paolo, Brazil to Santa Marta by charter flight. In Santa Marta “they rest and avoid searches by the authorities by taking a domestic flight from Santa Marta to the city of Bogota,” police explained.
The police report states that the money, all in cash, was hidden in ten suitcases. The detainees were unable to give credible explanation when questioned as to the money’s origin.
Authorities believe the cash is profit earned through drug trafficking, that was being transported to Bogota to be laundered.
Those detained remain in police custody. Police believe they form part of a drug trafficking organization with routes between South America and Europe, as well as to Central America.