Colombian police on Tuesday captured “Don Ramon,” an alleged leader of neo-paramilitary organization the “Urabeños,” along with 23 other suspected neo-paramilitaries.
In a joint police effort between four northeastern departments, Colombian authorities captured the suspected “Urabeños,” a powerful drug trafficking organization that has been dominating Colombia’s north.
Ramon Villadiego, known as “Don Ramon,” allegedly headed the organization’s criminal operations that included illegal gold mining in the south of Bolivar, a department located in the north of Colombia. The Bolivar police commander, Jorge Vargas, stated that, “it was the most important operation against against the Urabeños in the Caribbean region,” W Radio reported.
The arrest occurred in Barranquilla, a town on the Caribbean coast located in the Atlantico department, one of the four departments that also included Magdalena, Cesar and Bolivar of the joint police operation.
The 24 suspects will be charged with aggravated murder, attempted murder, extortion and aggravated conspiracy.
According to newspaper Semana, the police are also aiming to clarify at least 13 murders that have occurred in the region since last year and are suspected to be tied to the Urabeños.
