An alleged top member of the Colombian drug-trafficking organization “Los Rastrojos” has been deported from Ecuador, reported local media Monday.
Juan Carlos Calle Serna, alias “Armando” is accused of laundering money for one of Colombia’s most notorious drug gangs, headed by brothers Luis Enrique and Javier Antonio Calle Serna, alias “Los Comba”, who Colombian authorities have identified as the top leaders of Los Rastrojos.
National Anti-Narcotics Police Director Luis Alberto Perez said that the cooperation between Colombia and Ecuador demonstrated the will of the two nations “to combat transnational crime,” reported magazine La Semana.
Friday’s capture came after Interpol issued a red notice, or international warrant, on March 8, that gave Ecuadorian and Colombian authorities the go-ahead to arrest Calle Serna. He had been living in exile in Ecuador with his wife for three years, where he had allegedly continued laundering money and establishing criminal contacts throughout South America. Police were reportedly able to determine the whereabouts of Armando after tailing his wife and sister in Ecuador and Colombia.
The second of five brothers was sentenced by a Colombian court in November to 60 months in jail for charges including drug trafficking, possession of firearms and the falsification of public documents.
Armando had an estimated fortune of $3.4 million in the bank at the time of his arrest.