Colombian Police Bust “Tourist Trap” in Medellín Dedicated to Kidnapping & Extorting Foreign Visitors

In a joint operation between the Medellín Mayor’s Office, the Metropolitan Police of the Aburrá Valley, and the Attorney General’s Office, 10 members of a criminal group calling themselves “El Ghetto” were captured. They are responsible for kidnapping, assaulting, and extorting foreign citizens in nightclubs in Parque Lleras, in El Poblado. Among those arrested is alias “La Madrina,” the manager and legal representative of the businesses involved.

During the operation, carried out by the Police Gaula (Gaula), two search warrants were executed, during which cell phones, data phones, security recording devices, and more than $1 million USD in cash were seized. All those arrested were charged with aggravated kidnapping for ransom and could face sentences of up to 60 years in prison.

Additionally, asset forfeiture will be requested for these two businesses. “Given these arrests, we also hope that the United States authorities will request the extradition of these criminals, as the law allows, since this is a US citizen. We have to put an end to these criminals who are causing harm in the city. Here, we protect the people, those in Medellín and those who come from outside,” stated Medellín Mayor Federico Gutiérrez.

According to investigations, these individuals exaggeratedly inflated consumer bills, held the victims in nightclubs, beat them, and forced them to make payments under threat. In several cases, they even demanded additional fines after receiving the payments, while the escorts, women who allegedly worked as prostitutes, acted as recruiters and escorts within the criminal scheme.

One of the most serious cases occurred on October 21, 2024, when two Panamanian citizens were forced to pay $19 million after being beaten. On May 14, 2025, an American tourist experienced a similar situation, being beaten and forced to transfer $485 USD. Both incidents were instrumental in opening the investigation, thanks to the victims’ complaints and collaboration.

“There are long-standing merchants here who have done things well, and others have arrived to take over the area. Alias ​​​​’El Mexicano’ was captured here, and those businesses are also related to asset forfeiture issues. This was taken over by criminal organizations. Remember when we initially reduced business hours as a shock plan? How some of them, including ‘El Mexicano’ and others, threatened restaurants and property owners in the area to keep them from opening their businesses, and took to the streets to protest against us? What they do is use intimidation as a weapon,” the president recalled.

‘La Madrina,’ the alleged leader of the network, is listed as the manager of three commercial establishments in the area. According to information from the authorities, the woman involved has a weapons permit and is usually escorted by men who present themselves as former military personnel.

The mayor concluded that a working group already exists: “We will continue to support good merchants. Those who comply with the regulations will receive only support from us. This is good news for merchants, tourists, and the city, because we are dismantling criminal organizations.”

According to Bogotá daily El Tiempo investigations, the two nightclubs where the suspects committed the kidnappings for extortion are “Dharma Night Club” and “Guetto,” located in the well-known Parque Lleras neighborhood of Medellín’s Commune 14. It was established that both establishments belong to the same company: the Dharma International SAS business group.

The Dharma International SAS business group was established in Medellín on March 28, 2023, with an initial capital of two million pesos. Its business purpose, according to the company’s records, is the sale of alcoholic beverages for in-store consumption and the sale of prepared meals to be served at the table.

Video and photo credit: Medellín Mayor’s Office.