Colombian police struck a blow against drug gang ‘Los Rastrojos’ by capturing a trafficker accused of smuggling about 100 tons of cocaine to the United States, officials said on Sunday.
Juan Carlos ’06’ Rivera Ruiz was arrested in the city of Cali after a six-month manhunt. He is wanted for extradition by U.S. courts in Florida and was second in command of the Rastrojos, the successor of the infamous Norte del Valle cartel.
“With the passing of the years, Rivera became the key part of this organization in terms of smuggling cocaine to external markets,” said national police chief Oscar Naranjo.
Police believe Rivera, known in Colombia’s underworld at “Zero Six” is responsible for sending 98 tons of cocaine to the United States alone.