Weekly InSight
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

What Does Otoniel's Arrest Really Mean for Colombia?

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 >

InSight Crime also looks at Otoniel’s extensive criminal history – he had been on the radar of US prosecutors for more than a decade. 

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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 >

NewsAnalysis

Top Colombian Paramilitary Commander Testifies About Memo Fantasma


New documents in the case against accused paramilitary drug lord Guillermo León Acevedo... 

Colombia, Mexico Police Commanders Partnered with DEA and Drug Groups


Two top police commanders in Colombia and Mexico have recently admitted to filtering sensitive...
Judge Rules Memo Fantasma Will Remain in Colombia Prison
Nigerian Mafia Use Venezuelan Drug Mules to Reach Europe
Chile to Dubai, a Thriving Route for Gold Traffickers
How Yachts Contribute to Trans-Atlantic Cocaine Trade
Impact of Illicit Fentanyl Felt on Both Sides of US-Mexico Border
Entre Ríos: Argentina's Rising Drug Trafficking Transit Hub
Indictment of Saab Partners Details Vast Venezuela Aid Kickback Scheme

Criminal Actors

Profiles of some of the notable criminal personalities and groups that have marked this week.

Browse by country >

Alias 'Otoniel'

Dairo Antonio Úsuga, alias “Otoniel,” was the head of Colombia’s most powerful criminal group, the Urabeños...

Alias 'Wilexis'

Wilexis Alexander Acevedo Monasterios has led the gang which bears his name since at least 2017. With between 150 and 200...

Media Mentions

OCTOBER 21, 2021
BBC

"“(Free Fire) is the most sensational story. But there have been a number of cases recently of similar recruitments in video games."
 

Impact

Tracking Dirty Money and Tren de Aragua

 
InSight Crime was delighted to support investigative reporting in the Americas through a workshop with our friends at Connectas, a non-profit journalism initiative that facilitates collaboration among Latin American journalists. During an October seminar on investigating money and asset laundering, 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 Fantasma 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 and the Venezuelan newspaper El Nacional. InSight Crime has made it a priority to track the regional expansion of the Tren de Aragua – Venezuela’s first major transnational criminal structure. 

 

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InSight Crime · Medellin · Medellin 0000 · Colombia