An ongoing criminal investigation has led to the capture of nine members of the “Los Rastrojos” drug trafficking gang in an sting authorities have dubbed “Operation Dignity”.
According to the Colombian National Police website Monday, the gang members threatened, intimidated and demanded extortion payments from farmers.
The men were arrested in Rionegro in Santander, Sabana de Torres and Magdalena Medio.
The gang’s capture has been a priority for President Alvaro Uribe, who during the last Presidential Security Council in the city of Barrancabermeja directed members of the security forces to capture the ringleader, known as “Trincho” or “Richard,” who is wanted on charges of extortion, conspiracy and the illegal possession of firearms.
In connection with the operation in the town of Sabana de Torres, police served a search warrant at a home and captured another leader of Los Rastrojos, a native of Puerto Berrio also wanted for extortion, conspiracy and the illegal possession of firearms.
Finally, in an operation supported helicopter, authorities arrested a man known by his alias “Calimeño,” wanted for extortion and murder.