The killing of Ranger deals a strategic blow to the ELN, which engages in a wide range of criminal activities, including drug trafficking, extortion, kidnapping, and money laundering.
The use of logos to identify cocaine shipments has become so widespread that law enforcement agencies are keeping track of the insignias to track the drug trafficking activity of organized crime groups.
Authorities seized 4,143 kilograms of cocaine valued at US$30 million in early June, according to the Ministry of Public Security.
The cartel operatives are fighting over control of drug trafficking routes, properties owned by the cartel, some of which are worth millions of dollars, and weapons
The latest accomplishment during a joint operation to counter drug trafficking resulted in three tons of cocaine seized and suspects arrested.
Press conference held during CENTSEC 2014 with the USSOUTHCOM Commander, General John Kelly, and Guatemalan Chief of National Defense, General Rudy Israel Ortiz-Ruiz
The governments of Colombia, Peru, Chile and Argentina are working hard to remove dangerous land mines. The devices – many were deployed by terrorist and organized crime groups -- have killed or injured thousands of people in those countries.
Prisoners are prohibited from having cell phones, but some incarcerated gang members have friends and relatives smuggle the devices to them in prison.
The unprecedented expansion of criminal networks and violent gangs throughout Latin America and the Caribbean makes the mission of the U.S. Southern Command more urgent than ever, Southcom Commander Gen. John F. Kelly told a congressional hearing.
Authorities have charged prominent Salvadoran businessman Jose Adan Salazar, 62, with avoiding more than $800,000 in personal taxes and more than $80,000 in taxes from his hotel chain Hotesa.
International cooperation was key in seizure of 224.7 tons of narcotics between 2009 and 2013, according to the Public Security Ministry.
The action prevented US$71 million in cocaine from reaching the street, representing the first time since 1993 that Colombian authorities seized a vessel carrying drugs while a crew manned it.
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