This week, InSight Crime delves into the arrest of Colombia’s most-wanted man, Dairo Antonio Úsuga, alias “Otoniel.”
Weekly InSight
October 29, 2021 ([link removed])
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This week, InSight Crime delves into the arrest of Colombia’s most-wanted man, Dairo Antonio Úsuga, alias “Otoniel,” who eluded security forces for years, directing the Urabeños drug trafficking organization off the back of a mule in the jungle. We also report the latest developments in the case of paramilitary drug lord “Memo Fantasma,” including new documents that reveal that former top Colombian paramilitary commander Salvatore Mancuso admitted to knowing Memo.
Other highlights include calls for the scrutiny of US anti-drug partners after two top cops in Colombia and Mexico admitted to leaking information to traffickers. Luxury yachts are being used to smuggle cocaine to Europe, and police on both sides of the US-Mexico border are increasingly discovering pills laced with the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl.
** Featured
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** What Does Otoniel's Arrest Really Mean for Colombia? ([link removed])
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Colombian President Iván Duque has been quick to compare the capture of Otoniel to the fall of Pablo Escobar, saying that “this is the hardest blow that has been dealt to drug trafficking in this century.” Duque is correct in that both men were in decline when they were brought down by task forces dedicated to their capture. Otoniel’s absence, though, will have far different repercussions for the drug clan he controlled, which has long eschewed the top-down structure of the Medellín Cartel, acting instead like a franchise.
Read the article > ([link removed])
InSight Crime also looks at Otoniel’s extensive criminal history – he had been on the radar of US prosecutors for more than a decade.
Read the article > ([link removed])
Otoniel represents the last of a generation of Colombian traffickers that came up through leftist rebel forces and right-wing paramilitaries. His capture spells the end of the country’s most visible drug capos.
See Otoniel’s profile > ([link removed])
** NewsAnalysis
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All News ([link removed]) >
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** Top Colombian Paramilitary Commander Testifies About Memo Fantasma ([link removed])
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New documents in the case against accused paramilitary drug lord Guillermo León Acevedo...
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** Colombia, Mexico Police Commanders Partnered with DEA and Drug Groups ([link removed])
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Two top police commanders in Colombia and Mexico have recently admitted to filtering sensitive...
Judge Rules Memo Fantasma Will Remain in Colombia Prison ([link removed])
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Nigerian Mafia Use Venezuelan Drug Mules to Reach Europe ([link removed])
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Chile to Dubai, a Thriving Route for Gold Traffickers ([link removed])
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How Yachts Contribute to Trans-Atlantic Cocaine Trade ([link removed])
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Impact of Illicit Fentanyl Felt on Both Sides of US-Mexico Border ([link removed])
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Entre Ríos: Argentina's Rising Drug Trafficking Transit Hub ([link removed])
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Indictment of Saab Partners Details Vast Venezuela Aid Kickback Scheme ([link removed])
** Criminal Actors
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Profiles of some of the notable criminal personalities and groups that have marked this week.
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** Alias 'Otoniel' ([link removed])
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Dairo Antonio Úsuga, alias “Otoniel,” was the head of Colombia’s most powerful criminal group, the Urabeños...
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** Alias 'Wilexis' ([link removed])
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Wilexis Alexander Acevedo Monasterios has led the gang which bears his name since at least 2017. With between 150 and 200...
** Media Mentions
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About Us ([link removed])
OCTOBER 21, 2021
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"“(Free Fire) is the most sensational story. But there have been a number of cases recently of similar recruitments in video games."
--Managing Editor Chris Dalby
Read the story on cartels enlisting kids through video games > ([link removed])
** Impact
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What We do ([link removed])
** Tracking Dirty Money and Tren de Aragua
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InSight Crime was delighted to support investigative reporting in the Americas through a workshop with our friends at Connectas ([link removed]) , a non-profit journalism initiative that facilitates collaboration among Latin American journalists. During an October seminar on investigating money and asset laundering ([link removed]) , InSight Crime Co-director Jeremy McDermott spoke to participants about the dangers and challenges journalists face when conducting such reporting. Our investigation on the “invisible” drug lord Memo Fantasm ([link removed]) a ([link removed]) was featured as a case study on tracking webs of companies and identities used to mask illicit wealth.
Meanwhile, InSight Crime’s recent coverage of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua’s reach into Chile generated interest online and was republished by various outlets – including Argentina’s Infobae ([link removed]) and the Venezuelan newspaper El Nacional ([link removed]) . InSight Crime has made it a priority to track the regional expansion of the Tren de Aragua – Venezuela’s first major transnational criminal structure.
See all coverage of Tren de Aragua > ([link removed])
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