Memo Fantasma Freed from Colombian Prison
Guillermo León Acevedo Giraldo, alias "Memo Fantasma," has been granted his liberty from a maximum-security prison in Bogotá.
Memo Fantasma to Walk, Thanks to Colombian Prosecutor
Paramilitary drug lord, alias “Memo Fantasma” or “Will the Ghost,” may soon walk out of prison in Colombia, after the prosecutor fumbled two hearings designed to keep the accused in…
Memo Fantasma May Walk Out of Prison: Corruption or Incompetence?
The former paramilitary commander and drug lord, alias “Memo Fantasma,” may walk out of prison in Colombia on June 28.
Memo Fantasma Faces Up to 40 Years as Lawyer Also Investigated
Alleged drug trafficker alias "Memo Fantasma" or "Will the Ghost," was formally charged during a March 9 virtual audience, of money laundering and criminal conspiracy. His lawyer also appears to…
GameChangers 2021: Long on Criminality, Short on Democracy in Year to Come
Prediction of the criminal dynamics for 2022 is even harder than most years, as it involves predicting the march of coronavirus. Organized crime does not exist in a bubble.
Memo Fantasma Wants Out of Prison in Colombia
Accused paramilitary drug lord “Memo Fantasma,” or “Will the Ghost,” has petitioned a judge to be let out of a Colombian prison while he awaits trial. Worth millions of dollars…
The Future of the Cocaine Trade to Europe
The flow of cocaine to Europe may have suffered along with most licit businesses due to COVID-19.
Cocaine to Europe: An Underestimated Threat
Over the last five years, the cocaine trade has enjoyed an unprecedented boom, with production levels at record highs.
GameChangers 2020: Predictions for 2021 - Shaking Off the Virus
Organized crime had to tighten its belt in 2020, and pickings remain lean as world economies contract and movement is restricted. Yet this crisis is likely to be a temporary…
Will New Arrest Warrant Hamstring Colombia Peace Process?
The Colombian government has issued an arrest warrant for one of the FARC’s most militant commanders, which may result in him being expelled from the peace…
GameChangers 2017: What to Watch for in 2018
Organized crime thrives amid political corruption and uncertainty. Unfortunately, there will be plenty of this in 2018.
GameChangers 2017: Is Colombia’s FARC Really Gone?
Has Colombia's FARC really left the country's criminal scene? Yes, and absolutely not. The rebel army is gone, and has become a political party. The FARC Mafia is just coming…
About InSight Crime
Escaping Barrio 18
Last week, InSight Crime published an investigation charting the story of Desafío, a 28-year-old Barrio 18 gang member who is desperate to escape gang life. But there’s one problem: he’s…
Europe Coverage Makes a Splash
Last week, InSight Crime published an analysis of the role of Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport as an arrival hub for cocaine and methamphetamine from Mexico. The article was picked up by…
World Looks to InSight Crime for Mexico Expertise
Our coverage of the arrest of Chapitos’ co-founder Ovidio Guzmán López in Mexico has received worldwide attention.In the UK, outlets including The Independent and BBC…
InSight Crime Shares Expertise with US State Department
Last week, InSight Crime Co-founder Steven Dudley took part in the International Anti-Corruption Conference organized by the US State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, & Labor and…
Immediate Response to US-Mexico Marijuana Investigation
InSight Crime’s investigation into how the legalization of marijuana in many US states has changed Mexico’s criminal dynamics made a splash this week appearing on the front page of…
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