The Colombian army captured Thursday six members of the drug trafficking gang “Los Rastrojos” in the department of Antioquia, El Espectador reported.
Most prominent among those detained was Fredy Alberto Vega Rua, alias “Junior,” who is thought to be the the third in command of the criminal gang and had seven outstanding arrest warrants against him for the crimes of conspiracy, forced displacement and murder, among others.
Also seized as part of the operation were four AK-47 rifles, two 38mm calibre revolvers, one 9mm pistol, 564 rounds of various calibres, six hand grenades and cash.
The gang members have all been handed over to the Prosecutor General’s Office.
According to the military, with Thursday’s arrests the total number of criminal gang and neo-paramilitary members captured under the umbrella of Operation “Troya” now stands at 320.
“Troya” is an elite military offensive against criminal networks in northern Colombia that was implemented in February. As Defense Minister Rodrigo Rivera stated at the time, the aim of “Troya” is to “asphyxiate” the financial resources of illegal groups operation in the northern region.
