Colombian drug trafficking organization dismantled, 13 arrested
Organization annually moved multi-ton shipments of cocaine destined for US
CARTAGENA, Colombia — Thirteen individuals, who were involved in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) linked to the annual movement of multi-ton cocaine loads, were arrested March 10 in the Colombian cities of Cartagena, Barranquilla and Turbaco.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents assigned to the Assistant Attaché Office in Cartagena, Colombia, assisted the Colombian Naval Command Special Force’s Naval Intelligence Unit and the Colombian Attorney General’s Office with the investigation leading up to the arrests.
In addition to the 13 arrests, 10 kilograms of cocaine were seized. It is alleged that this DTO annually distributed about two to three tons of cocaine. To date, 16 individuals have been arrested and 688 kilograms (1,517 pounds) of cocaine have been seized.
The investigation, which began in February 2013, revealed that the drug trafficking organization was using ports of Cartagena to distribute cocaine destined for the United States and other countries via parasitic devices attached to the hulls of cargo vessels.
Law enforcement discovered that the organization had access to privileged port information giving them the arrival and departure times, along with routes, for all cargo vessels at the Port of Cartagena. The privileged information allowed DTO divers to attach cocaine-laden parasitic devices to the hulls of cargo vessels.
“These arrests are indicative of the Colombian government’s resolve in attacking the drug trade,” said Cartagena Assistant Attaché Fernando Plascencia. “While this deals an important blow to this DTO, our work is not done. We will continue pursuing those involved in narcotics trafficking.”
Through its International Operations, HSI has 65 operational attaché offices in 46 countries around the world. HSI special agents work closely with foreign law enforcement agencies through a robust network of specialized, vetted units known as Transnational Criminal Investigative Units. Additionally, HSI brings personnel from host countries to the United States to train at the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia.
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