Colombian police have arrested 17 people suspected of collaborating with a criminal network run by former paramilitary chief Salvatore Mancuso.
The suspects were arrested Tuesday during an operation coded "Florero" in Bogota, Bucaramanga and Cucuta, according to a statement issued by the police.
All the arrested were "accused of being part of a network of money laundering and drug trafficking related to former paramilitary chief Salvatore Mancuso, who was extradited to the United States on May 13," said the statement.
The network, which has 16 companies in Mexico, four in Panama and 26 in Venezuela, has allegedly laundered at least 230 million U.S. dollars via fraudulent currency exchange in these countries.
The network also smuggles drugs in the Cotatumbo River zone north of Colombia.
Mancuso and 13 other former commanders of the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) were extradited to the United States on May 13, where they face charges of drug smuggling, money laundering and financing terrorism.
The AUC was accused of committing thousands of murders and other atrocities in a drive against suspected guerrillas or anyone linked to them, including farmers, peasants, guild members and civilians.
The group was demobilized in 2004-2006 after reaching an accord with President Alvaro Uribe's government, which offered them light sentences irrespective of their crimes.
Source:Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article