Drug traffickers today realize that their best protection is not a private army but anonymity.
This is the story of “Memo Fantasma” or “Will the Ghost,” who started life in the Medellín Cartel, funded the bloody rise of a paramilitary army, and today lives the high life in Madrid.
He has helped move hundreds of tons of cocaine yet has no arrest warrants, and nobody is looking for him.
Investigation Chapters
‘The Invisibles’ of the Drug World
Drug traffickers today have realized that their best protection is not a private army, but rather total anonymity. We call these drug lords “the invisibles.” This is the story of one such trafficker, alias “Memo Fantasma,” or “Will the Ghost.”
Hunting the Ghost: a Face and a Name
The hunt for “Will the Ghost,” or “Memo Fantasma” had stalled once again. The name Guillermo Camacho did not register with anyone. Had The Ghost managed to wipe all traces of his real identity?
The Ghost and His Paramilitary Army
In 1997, the paramilitary army began its bloody campaign across Colombia, supposedly to fight the Marxist rebels, but really to take control of the cocaine trade. “Will the Ghost” or “Memo Fantasma,” was funding the bloodshed and using it to strengthen his position at the criminal top table.
The Ghost Loses Drug Trafficking Partners
After the demobilization of the AUC in 2006, the paramilitary high command was behind bars. All except alias “Sebastían Colmenares” and his alter ego, “Memo Fantasma,” who was still moving huge consignments of drugs via Mexico.
Tracking the Ghost: Follow the Money
“The Ghost” had fled Medellín, tied off loose ends in the underworld and perhaps suspended his drug trafficking activities. He disappeared with millions of dollars. That kind of money is hard to hide.
The Ghost Lives the High Life in Madrid
The Ghost, a paramilitary drug lord, has moved to Madrid with his millions of drug dollars. He has dodged the Colombian justice system and perhaps secured a pass from the United States after informing. He is free and clear.
