A leader of the drug-trafficking organization “Los Rastrojos” on Thursday was killed by anti-narcotics police in Colombia’s northwest Antioquia department.
Police reportedly found Walter Manuel Ramos, who is known under the alias “Alex 15”, dressed in camouflage in a camp in the municipality of Remedios. Authorities also found in the camp two rifles, a grenade launcher, pistols, 20 grenades and a supply of ammunition, along with other instruments of war.
“For almost eight days anti-narcotics police units infiltrated the surrounding area until they found the exact location of ‘Alex 15,’” said National Police Director Jose Roberto Leon Riaño.
Also recovered by authorities were 15 uniforms of the Colombian armed forces.
Police say Alex 15 was leading a conflict against neo-paramilitary group, “Los Urabeños”, for control over illegal mining and extortion of legal mining, which has caused an increase in homicides in the area. There were also disputes between the two gangs over cocaine trafficking routes.
PROFILE: Los Urabeños
Before joining Los Rastrojos, Alex 15 was a member of the Central Bolivar bloc of the now-defunct paramilitary group, the AUC.
PROFILE: AUC
Los Rastrojos suffered a series of setbacks in 2012 as many of its leaders and members turned themselves in to Colombian authorities.
NEWS ARCHIVE: Los Rastrojos
Sources
- Cayó “Alex 15”, jefe de “los rastrojos” en zona minera de Antioquia (El Caracol)
- En un campamento cayó ‘Álex 15’, terror de los mineros en Antioquia (El Tiempo)
