The Minister of Defense, Pedro Sánchez, announced last Sunday the decisive blow delivered by Colombian authorities in coordination with the DEA with the capture of two of the main leaders of the criminal group ‘Los Chivos’, accused of orchestrating an extortion network in Medellín and cocaine shipments to the United States.
The main target of the operation was alias El Mono, identified as the financial leader of the organization who had direct contact with criminal gangs in Mexico and a luxurious life in the Paisa capital.
The movements
He is Fabio Alberto Moreno Rendón, 50 years old and originally from the municipality of Caldas, Antioquia.
The individual is wanted by a Southern District of New York Court on charges related to conspiracy to traffic cocaine and participation in a criminal organization dedicated to the international shipment of narcotics.
Authorities say alias Mono has direct links with criminal organizations in Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and the United States for cocaine shipments leaving from La Guajira.
Additionally, he is accused of having ties with the ‘Gulf Clan’ in Antioquia.
The operation was carried out by the Prosecutor’s Office, the National Police, and the DEA, through surveillance of his routine and movements in his high-end Toyota truck.
EL TIEMPO established that ‘El Mono’ moved around the municipalities of Sabaneta and exclusive areas of Medellín such as El Poblado in a white Land Cruiser, the same vehicle in which he was captured.
Machinery and conviction
However, this is not the first time ‘El Mono’ has had to answer to justice. On July 31, 2007, he was sentenced to 6 years in prison for conspiracy to commit a crime.
At that time, the individual posed as a businessman and even, some time after being released, founded a yellow machinery company.
Indeed, on October 30, 2015, he registered a company named Movi Retros MV with the Aburrá Sur Chamber of Commerce.
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The company was dedicated to land preparation and earthmoving, rental and leasing of machinery, and road freight transport.
Authorities are also tracking a property in his name located in a condominium in Sabaneta, Antioquia.
The partner
In the operation, Daniel Suaza Ochoa, alias Menor, the main leader of the structure, was also captured.
According to information provided by authorities, the latter had built a stronghold in 6 houses in the Belén neighborhood, with private security and armored doors, as well as guard dogs.
Both individuals will have to answer to U.S. justice, and Colombian authorities are already preparing the double extradition.
INVESTIGATIVE UNIT
u.investigativa@eltiempo.com
@UinvestigativaET
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