Colombia’s establishment candidate disappoints in election polls
Colombia’s far-right trying to postpone presidential elections
Colombia’s opposition embarks on anti-election fraud offensive
Establishment candidate in Colombia’s elections linked to mafia
Far-right group goes from opposing communism to opposing...
ELN declares unilateral ceasefire ahead of Colombia’s elections
Colombia’s opposition dismisses US claim of ‘Russian threat’
Colombia’s drug policy a ‘failure’ that obstructed peace:...
Medellin government rejects ‘illegitimate’ interim mayor
Electoral violence in Colombia doubled since 2018
  • About
  • Support
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
Colombia News | Colombia Reports
  • News
    • General
    • Analysis
    • War and peace
    • Elections
    • Economy
    • Culture
    • Sports
    • Science and Tech
  • Travel
    • General
    • Bogota
    • Medellin
    • Cali
    • Cartagena
    • Antioquia
    • Caribbean
    • Pacific
    • Coffee region
    • Amazon
    • Southwest Colombia
    • Northeast Colombia
    • Central Colombia
  • Data
    • Economy
    • Crime and security
    • War and peace
    • Development
    • Cities
    • Regions
    • Provinces
  • Profiles
    • Organized crime
    • Politics
    • Armed conflict
    • Economy
    • Sports
  • Lite
  • Opinion
News

Ex-congressmen investigated in drug agency scandal

by Manuela Kuehr December 6, 2010

Colombia news - corruption

Three former congressmen are under investigation for their alleged roles in the corruption scandal at Colombia’s drug enforcement agency, according to newly elected Prosecutor General Viviane Morales.

The National Narcotics Office (DNE) handles assets seized from drug lords and was taken over by the government in November due to suspicions of massive corruption. New director of the agency Juan Carlos Restrepo called it “the mafia’s theme park,” a place where one drug lord can buy property seized from another. He said that all employees and many old employees had codes that gave them access to the assets.

“In the Valle del Cauca, the NDN has seized the largest number of properties from drug lords, close to 28,000 goods. It is necessary to clarify in whose hands these properties currently are and … if there are signs of corruption,” Senator Carlos Fernando Motoa Solarte said, reports El Pais.

Among those under investigation are three former chairmen of the Senate, Luis Humberto Gomez Gallo, Javier Caceres Leal and Hernan Andrade, the first two of whom are currently in prison for “parapolitics” – dealings with paramilitaries.

Andrade, a Conservative Party senator, issued a statement saying that “I do not know of any private or public dealings of those people mentioned who allegedly are related to irregular activities in the National Narcotics Office.”

Morales said that the Supreme Court is responsible for advancing the investigations and that “indepent prosecutors” will be needed to get successful results.

congressmanProsecutor General's OfficeViviane Morales

Trending

  • Why Colombia’s upcoming elections could trigger a crisis

  • Colombia’s inspector general suspends mayors on election meddling charges

  • Medellin government rejects ‘illegitimate’ interim mayor

Related articles

  • Court orders Colombia’s prosecution to try Uribe on fraud and bribery charges

  • Colombia orders ‘illegal’ search at renowned news program

  • Colombia ‘spying on human rights defenders’

  • RSS

@2008-2019 - Colombia Reports. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by Digitale Zaken and Parrolabs


Back To Top