Colombia’s police reported the arrest 100 members of illegal armed groups during the last week of former President Alvaro Uribe‘s leadership.
According to a police press release, 68 people linked to Medellin-based drug trafficking organization the “Office of Envigado,” were arrested, as well as fourteen members of criminal gang “Los de Uraba,” thirteen members of “Los Paisas” and two members of the “Aguilas Negras.”
Reportedly 83% of the arrests occurred in the central department of Antioquia, three in the northern Cordoba department, two in northern Magdalena, and three others in Cucuta, Choco, and Magdalena Medio.
Between August 2 and August 8 police reportedly seized 60 firearms, seven grenades, 517 cartridges of ammunition and two motorbikes used by hitmen.
The press release reiterated that the national police are offering COP5 billion as a reward for information leading to the capture of the leaders of Colombia’s six main criminal gangs.
Prior to handing Colombia’s leadership over to President Juan Manuel Santos on Saturday, Uribe pledged that Colombia’s armed forces would not sleep in their bid to arrest those criminals still at large before his term ended on August 7.