Colombian authorities claim to have struck a serious blow against narco-trafficking paramilitary group “Los Rastrojos,” arrested fourteen gang members, including one leader, El Espectador reported Wednesday.
According to Colombian police chief General Oscar Naranjo, among the fourteen arrested gang members are Fabian Duque Ospina, alias “Vicente,” who was one of the most important leaders of the group, and Jose Antonio Mosquera Valencia, alias “Joselito,” who was responsible for corrupting public officials in the Valle del Cauca department.
According to police reports, “Vicente” led a branch of Los Rastrojos with at least 200 members, but following his arrest and sixteen other police operations, this organization has been dismantled.
This branch was responsible for 60% of the homicides in the Norte del Valle department, and had in its possession 900 hectares of coca fields, the report noted.