Police capture ‘Los Rastrojos’ leader in west Colombia

Police have captured a “Los Rastrojos” leader that was reportedly in charge of drug laboratories in Colombia’s western Valle del Cauca department, reported news agency Vanguardia.

Jorge Ivan Gil Agudelo, alias “Mellizo,” is reported to have formed part of the top leadership of the drug trafficking gang, which was formerly the armed wing of the Norte del Valle cartel. He was allegedly in charge of running drug laboratories in the Cañon de las Garrapatas, in the department’s mountain region, as well as responsible for extortions and assassinations in the area.

Mellizo faces charges of narcotics trafficking, possession and trafficking of illegal arms, and conspiracy.

Another high-profile leader from Los Rastrojos, Rubernei Vargas, alias “Mono Quemado,” was captured by Venezuelan authorities on June 4, just across the border with Colombia, according to President Juan Manuel Santos.

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