Police strike alleged Los Del Puerto drug network in Puerto Colombia

Five people allegedly linked to a drug trafficking structure known as Los Del Puerto were arrested during coordinated raids in Puerto Colombia, Atlántico, according to police and prosecutors.

The Metropolitan Police of Barranquilla and the Attorney General's Office carried out three search and seizure operations in different parts of the municipality. Authorities said the suspects were caught in flagrante delicto on charges related to the manufacture, trafficking and possession of narcotics.

Among those detained were two men known by the aliases Morocho and El Caleño. Police investigations allegedly place them within Los Del Puerto, a structure accused of manufacturing, distributing and selling drugs in several parts of Puerto Colombia. Authorities said Morocho was involved in street sales and prepared and packaged the substances in small quantities for distribution.

The raids recovered 260 grams of marijuana, 76 grams of coca base and 41 grams of cocaine. Police estimated that the drugs represented more than 300 doses and turned the seized material over to the competent authorities for the judicial process.

Investigators said the alleged activity generated nearly 10 million pesos a week from the sale of narcotics. Police described the operation as a blow to one of the organization's main sources of illegal financing and said the five detainees had four judicial records among them for alleged offenses including weapons trafficking, extortion, slander and domestic violence. They were placed at the disposal of the Attorney General's Office for preliminary hearings and a decision on their legal status.