Blow to Los Costeños in Galapa: alleged member arrested and drug depot dismantled with 91.3 kilograms of cocaine

Colombian authorities say they dealt a major blow to Los Costeños after finding 91.3 kilograms of cocaine at a storage and distribution center in Galapa, in the metropolitan area of Barranquilla.

Marine Infantry troops from the Bolívar Military Gaula, working with the Attorney General’s CTI and the National Police, captured an alleged member of the criminal group in flagrante. The cocaine was divided into 119 packages ready for sale, authorities said.

Investigators also found homemade pressing equipment, digital scales, supplies for dosing and packaging, and communications devices. Authorities said the equipment was used to coordinate the distribution of the drugs.

According to the official report, the seizure affected Los Costeños’ finances by more than US$4.2 million by eliminating one of the organization’s storage and distribution points in the Barranquilla metropolitan area. Authorities also linked the site to extortion affecting merchants and residents in Galapa and surrounding communities.

Authorities describe Los Costeños as one of the criminal organizations with the strongest presence in Barranquilla and the wider Atlántico region. They associate the group with drug dealing, extortion and other crimes, including contract killings, kidnappings and “gota a gota” lending. The group is also engaged in a territorial confrontation with the Clan del Golfo, or Ejército Gaitanista de Colombia, over control of illegal economies in the metropolitan area, while maintaining alliances for drug trafficking.