(CNN Spanish) — The Colombian Police’s Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Extortion Directorate conducted a massive operation on Saturday, executing 152 arrest warrants in major cities across Colombia against members of criminal gangs Tren de Aragua and Clan del Golfo.
Police director Elver Vicente Sanabria announced that during the operation, they seized 450 electronic devices that will be crucial for future investigations. Additionally, weapons and explosives were also confiscated.
The Aragua Train is recognized as the largest and most powerful criminal gang in Venezuela, with its origins dating back to 2005 when workers on a railway project in Aragua and Carabobo joined forces to form the group.
The gang has expanded its criminal activities over the years, involving illegal mining, drug trafficking, extortion, robbery, kidnapping, and human trafficking. The organization reportedly has over 4,000 members, with Héctor Rustherford Guerrero Flores, also known as “Niño Guerrero,” being the main leader.
“Niño Guerrero” has a long criminal history, including charges of intentional homicide, prison escape, drug trafficking, and association to commit a crime. Despite being sentenced to 17 years and two months in prison in 2016, he has continued to evade authorities.
The recent operation aimed to target members of criminal groups operating in the state of Aragua and other parts of the country, although the specific reference to the Aragua Train was not made by the Minister of the Interior, Justice, and Peace, Remigio Ceballos.
The Venezuelan Prisons Observatory reported that “Niño Guerrero” and his associates were reportedly informed about the government’s operation to take over Tocorón prison in advance, allowing them to evade capture. However, CNN has not independently verified this information.
The successful operation represents a significant blow to these criminal organizations, highlighting the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat organized crime in Colombia and Venezuela.
(With information from Osmary Hernández, from CNN)