Pen Guns and Bunkers: How Three Women-Led Criminal Groups Operated in Cali

Police operations in Cali exposed three microtrafficking networks led or strategically managed by women, including groups that turned homes into fortified bunkers and hid homemade firearms shaped like pens.

The National Police dismantled the organizations in communes 11, 12 and 15 after months of surveillance and undercover work. The groups, known as “los Pelaos,” “la Primavera” and “los de la Invasión,” had operated in Ciudad Córdoba, Morichal de Comfandi, La Primavera, El Rodeo, El Vallado and the Haití settlement. The operation produced 26 arrests and involved 26 search and seizure warrants.

In commune 12, alias La Gorda, 31, allegedly commanded “los Pelaos” from El Rodeo. Police intelligence found that she ordered associates to adapt homes with improvised armor to make police entry more difficult. In commune 11, alias Maritza, 53, allegedly drove the “la Primavera” network. Authorities said she had a lengthy record for theft and had reoffended in drug trafficking.

The investigation found a different structure in commune 15. Although alias Candelo was identified as the main leader of “los de la Invasión,” three women formed its strategic backbone by managing the organization, coordinating operations and controlling sales points. The group used homemade pen-shaped firearms that could be concealed and transported easily.

According to the investigation, the networks distributed an average of 50,000 monthly doses of marijuana and cocaine derivatives. Their territorial operation generated illegal profits of more than 360 million pesos a month, authorities said. Police also seized 3,000 doses prepared for sale, five firearms and various items used to divide the drugs.

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Women are not only participating, but also leading, coordinating and managing illicit businesses.