Police strike ‘Los Flacos’ in Cartago, gang linked to killings, disappearances and drug trafficking: 130 arrests this year

Police in Valle del Cauca have arrested three alleged members of the ‘Los Flacos’ criminal organization, bringing the number of suspected members detained in the department this year to 130.

The latest operation took place in the Bellavista neighborhood of Cartago, in an area known as El Reino. Units from the Special Operations Group, the Gaula anti-extortion unit, Sijín judicial police and Sipol intelligence police intercepted the suspects in a public area during targeted checks in locations with high crime rates.

Authorities identified the detainees by the aliases Chamo, Guau Guau and Kate. Police said they were allegedly involved in selling narcotics in the residential sector. During the arrests, officers seized 360 doses of cocaine base weighing 324.7 grams. Authorities estimated the drugs’ street value at 2.5 million Colombian pesos.

A check of judicial records found that Kate was allegedly violating an active house-arrest order linked to charges of conspiracy to commit crimes and drug trafficking. After the suspects appeared before a judge and the consolidated hearings were approved, all three were ordered held in a prison.

The operation forms part of preventive policing carried out day and night in Cartago, Obando and Ansermanuevo. The Valle police department urged residents to report suspicious activity through emergency number 123 or the crime hotline 314-3587214, promising confidentiality.