All news on the topic: Colombia

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Alleged Lithuanian trafficking group uncovered during crackdown on Narcos
A recent U.S. sanctions notice has put the spotlight on an alleged narcotics ring from the small Baltic country, which purportedly includes a previously-convicted trafficker dubbed a “global kingpin” of the trade.
660
Four footballers killed by lightning while sheltering under a tree
Jeidy Morales, Daniela Mosquera, Luz Lame and Etelvina Mosquera took shelter when their games paused due to the thunderstorm in Cajibio, a town in central Colombia.
433
US and Colombia agree to accept deportees following days of tariff threats
Colombia has walked back from the brink of a damaging trade war with the United States, reaching an agreement on accepting deported migrants being returned on military planes...
492
Leaders of Colombian drug trafficking organization plead guilty in Florida court to smuggling 43,000 kg of cocaine into the US
Leaders of Colombian drug trafficking organization plead guilty in Florida court to conspiring to smuggle 43,000 kg of cocaine into the U.S.
596
Colombian special forces deployed amid deadly clashes over cocaine province
Special forces deployed to province engulfed in a war between armed groups over control of cocaine province. Dozens of civilians have been killed and thousands forced to flee.
672
Narco money scandals reach the apex of political power in the Americas
The year 2024 included some stark reminders that drug trafficking money can reach the highest levels of politics.
504
Half a million shares in the port of Buenaventura in the hands of a drug trafficker and his family
The indictment of nine members of a prominent Colombian Pacific family — including politicians, former public officials, journalists...
457
Colombia: Son of Cali cartel boss involved in shark fin trafficking to Hong Kong
This is the story of the largest seizure of its kind ever made in Colombian territory, where a shipment of more than 3,400 shark fins, intended to be trafficked to Hong Kong...
567
Colombian national admits guilt in kidnapping U.S. soldiers
Pedro Silva Ochoa pleaded guilty to kidnapping and assaulting U.S. soldiers in Bogotá.
594
Drug kingpin’s son released after pleading in shark fin trafficking case
Less than two months after a four-year sentence for wildlife trafficking, a Colombian court has released Fernando Rodríguez Mondragón—a son of the late drug lord Gilberto Rodríguez Orejuela—following a deal with prosecutors.
667
Italy’s Camorra is expanding its operations into Colombia’s cocaine capital
Two high-ranking members of Italy’s Camorra mafia were arrested in Medellín, Colombia, in a multinational operation against cocaine trafficking.
548
Colombia’s coca crops increased, but cocaine production surged, latest figures reveal
Coca crops and cocaine production in Colombia increased during 2023, as the government has stopped forced eradication efforts and concentrated on seizures to fight drug trafficking.
533
Historic guilty plea by bank underscores US crackdown on money laundering
For the first time, a US bank has admitted to helping criminal networks in Colombia launder hundreds of millions of dollars in dirty money, highlighting the fruits of a renewed push to target those aiding the region’s money launderers.
442
An East London drug dealer who boasted about being ’like Pablo Escobar’ has been caught
A prolific drug gang leader who compared himself to notorious Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar has been arrested.
535
President urges Colombians to inspect their phones for Pegasus spyware
Colombian President Gustavo Petro authorized a service on Monday to detect Pegasus spyware on civilian phones. This follows his announcement last week that the National Police had used the Israeli spyware for illegal interceptions during the 2021 social uprising.
464
Spain and Colombia dismantle cocaine processing lab; 28 arrested
A joint Spanish and Colombian operation has dismantled a cocaine processing lab, resulting in dozens of arrests and the seizure of thousands of litres of chemical precursors, Europol said Monday in an official statement.
468
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrive hand-in-hand to kick off four-day tour of Colombia
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have arrived in Colombia for the start of their four-day tour - and have taken part in their first official engagement in the South American country
457
Former prime minister of the British Virgin Islands jailed in cocaine case
A U.S. court has sentenced former British Virgin Islands (BVI) Prime Minister Andrew Alturo Fahie to more than 11 years in prison for his role in a major cocaine smuggling operation.
513
US banana giant ordered to pay $38 million to families of Colombian men killed by death squads
Landmark verdict against Chiquita marks first time major US company held liable for funding human rights abuses abroad
592
Maersk and CMA-CGM: The favorite shipping companies of the Colombian mafia
Leaked documents from the Prosecutor’s Office show that their vessels, the initials of their containers and the arrival docks of these companies in Europe are mentioned by criminals to speak in code about cocaine shipments and routes.
525
Fishing boats and cargo ships: How Colombian cocaine is trafficked worldwide
Official statistics on busts of drug shipments originating in Colombia — the world’s largest cocaine producer by far — are scattershot and hard to find. A leak of prosecutor’s office documents helped reporters fill in some gaps.
553
British backpacker found dead in South American hostel bed
A British backpacker has been found dead at his holiday accommodation in Colombia.
633
British student arrested in Colombia airport after ’trying to smuggle cocaine disguised as milk’
The 25-year-old British student has been detained in Colombia and forced to pose in front an illegal haul after reportedly attempting to smuggle cocaine disguised as milk out of the country
606
Dad-of-three stung to death by swarm of bees that invaded his car
Michel Villa Moya was driving on a motorway in Colombia when an angry swarm of bees got into the car, causing him to crash before he later died having reportedly suffered an allergic reaction to the venom
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'Cartel thugs forced me to act with their prostitutes and they were best at it'
While filming on location in some of the dodgier neighbourhoods in Medellin, where drug lord Pablo Escobar built up his empire in the 80s and 90s, local thugs approached the director and offered their protection if he would cast local prostitutes in the movie