Colombia’s president announces arrests of 22 alleged members of the Los Necios gang in Santander

A joint operation in Santander led to the arrest of 22 alleged members of Los Necios, in an offensive that authorities said targeted a regional drug-trafficking network.

The National Police, through its Sijín and Sipol units, worked with the Technical Investigation Corps of the attorney general’s office and the National Army. The operation involved 20 simultaneous search-and-seizure raids in Barbosa, Puente Nacional, Vélez and Socorro.

President Abelardo De La Espriella announced the arrests on his X account. He said the operation had captured 22 members of the group on court orders and accused them of drug trafficking, manufacturing or possession of narcotics.

According to the official report, the group allegedly used homes operating as delivery points, along with farms and rural areas, to store, distribute and sell illegal substances in urban and rural parts of the region. Authorities seized 4,450 grams of marijuana, 79.67 grams of cocaine and 92.49 grams of amphetamines. They also confiscated a firearm, nine mobile phones and cash, which officials said allegedly formed part of the group’s commercial logistics.

The detainees and material evidence were handed over to Colombia’s attorney general for hearings to validate the arrests and present charges. Authorities said they would continue their offensive against retail drug trafficking and pursue criminal structures affecting security in the country’s neighborhoods and municipalities.

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Our National Police, through Sijín and Sipol, working with the CTI and the National Army, carried out 20 search operations in Barbosa, Puente Nacional, Vélez and Socorro, leading to the court-ordered arrests of 22 members of the narcoterrorist group Los Necios for drug trafficking, manufacturing or possession of narcotics.