Colombia Sees Wave of ‘Drug Gang’ Arrests

Colombia’s police have announced a wave of arrests of suspected members of drug gangs, known as BACRIMs, across the country.

Authorities on Wednesday announced the capture of 27 alleged criminals in Bogota, all of whom were wanted for extradition to the United States, reports El Espectador. The detainees are accused of being members of emerging criminal groups, known as BACRIMs, dedicated to micro-trafficking as well as transporting drugs to other countries.

This followed the arrests, also announced that day, of 12 alleged members of drug gang the Rastrojos in Bajo Cauca.

The detainees are thought to have taken orders from Angel de Jesus Pacheco, alias “Sebastian,” a former member of the Paisas.

Earlier in the week, police in Medellin arrested some 25 members of a drug gang known as the Camila, which is said to be linked to the Oficina de Envigado.

So far in May, police say they have arrested 212 members of the BACRIM.

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