The director of Colombia’s national police declared that a “security marathon” in the country has resulted in the capture of over 1500 criminals across 20 cities, Caracol Radio reported on Thursday.
General Rodolfo Palomino announced that along with the arrest of 1,599 criminals, more than 1,500 firearms were confiscated and various buildings being used as drug houses were demolished, Caracol Radio reported.
According Palomino, this nationwide security offensive included preventative actions against homicides, which has reportedly saved 939 lives.
The security marathon was done with the help of 18 generals that were personally supervising the security operation in various cities across Colombia.
General Jose Mendoza from the Medellin police department confirmed news of the arrests and confiscation of firearms across the central state of Antioquia.
“[…] In the rural municipality of Barbosa [Antioquia] we found two rifles and two revolvers buried, by the “Usuaga Clan,” one of his tweets relating to the operation stated.
#MaratonSeguridad en zona rural municipio de Barbosa hallamos 2 escopetas y 2 revólveres enterrados, del “clan usuga” pic.twitter.com/CdkzZeyM4s
— BG. José A. Mendoza (@PoliciaMedellin) May 14, 2014
General Rodolfo said he has “Encouraged the help of the citizenry by offering a monetary reward of $500 for information leading to the arrest of individuals who have a warrant for homicide or illegal possession of a firearm, in order to lead to more actions preventing insecurity and violence.”
In Medellin, several alleged gang members were detained and automatic firearms and drugs seized, according to a police statement.
Sources
- Policia entrega balance de la ‘maratón de la seguridad’ (Caracol Radio)
- Cuenta Oficial de la Policía Metropolitana del Valle de Aburra (Twitter)
- Policía Metropolitana lanza offensiva contra el homicidio en la maratón por la seguridad (Policia Nacional)
