The Criminal Career of Memo Fantasma Revealed
In March 2020, InSight Crime published its most-read investigation ever - “The Invisible Drug Lord: Hunting the Ghost” – revealing that Memo Fantasma, a paramilitary commander and drug lord, was living in luxury in Spain.
After interviewing over a dozen Colombian drug traffickers and paramilitaries connected to him, InSight Crime has begun its second series dedicated to Memo Fantasma. We do this just as he looks set to walk out of prison.
 
26 JUN 2022
Memo Fantasma May Walk Out of Prison: Corruption or Incompetence?
30 JUN 2022
Memo Fantasma to Walk, Thanks to Colombian Prosecutor
Over the coming weeks, we will unveil the full legacy of one of Colombia’s most notorious criminals. We will reveal his drug trafficking career, from his earliest days in New York working for Pablo Escobar’s Medellín Cartel, to his helping to set up the most brutal of Colombia's warring factions, the paramilitaries of the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia. We will expose his inner circle and explore his criminal legacy. 
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Unveiling The Ghost – A Timeline 
2020
MAR 2020

The Invisible Drug Lord 

#INVISIBLES  #COLOMBIA
InSight Crime publishes its six-part investigation into Memo Fantasma, revealing him to be Guillermo León Acevedo Giraldo, a drug trafficker and paramilitary commander, living in hiding in Madrid.  
MAY 2020

A Face and a Name

#ELITES AND CRIME  #COLOMBIA
Colombia’s Attorney General confirms that Acevedo is Memo Fantasma as well as his paramilitary career with the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC).
 
JUL 2020

Colombia's Vice President

#ELITES AND CRIME  #COLOMBIA
Colombia’s Vice President Marta Lucía Ramírez presses charges against InSight Crime Co-director Jeremy McDermott, following the revelation that a company run by her husband collaborated with Memo Fantasma to build a high-rise building in Bogotá. The charges were later dropped.
 
2021
________________________________________
APR 2021

Retaliation Against the Press

#ELITES AND CRIME  #PRESS FREEDOM
Acevedo files criminal libel case against McDermott, despite widespread official confirmation of InSight Crime’s findings.  
JUN 2021

Memo Fantasma Behind Bars

#INVISIBLES  #COLOMBIA
Memo Fantasma arrested in Bogotá on charges of money laundering, criminal conspiracy and illicit enrichment. He pleads not guilty but is then sentenced to one year in pre-trial detention. 
SEPT 2021

Memo’s Assets Go to Victims of Conflict 

#INVISIBLES  #COLOMBIA
Assets worth millions of dollars belonging to Memo Fantasma to be sold and the proceeds donated to Colombia’s Victims’ Reparation Fund. Memo wants out of prison. 
OCT 2021

High-Level Confirmation

#AUC #INVISIBLES  #COLOMBIA
Top former paramilitary commander, Salvatore Mancuso, speaks to prosecutors about Acevedo, confirming Memo Fantasma’s high-level leadership within the AUC. A judge rules Memo Fantasma will remain in prison. 
DEC 2021

Case Against McDermott Dropped 

#AUC #INVISIBLES  #COLOMBIA
Acevedo’s libel case against McDermott is dismissed by Colombian prosecutors.
2022
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JUL 2022

Memo Free to Go

#AUC #INVISIBLES  #COLOMBIA #ELITES AND CRIME
Memo Fantasma set to soon walk free as judge lifts his pre-trial detention after a negligent performance by the prosecutor.

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