US, Colombian Officials Bust Transnational Weapons Trafficking Syndicate

22 people were captured by court order and 3 more in flagrante delicto. In 28 raids, an arsenal containing short- and long-range firearms, different caliber ammunition and $97 million Colombian Pesos in cash was seized.

In a joint effort by Colombia’s Attorney General, the DIJIN unit of the National Police and the United States Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) ICE Agency, an arms trafficking ring called Diamante has been toppled along with the capture of 25 of its alleged members. This according to Colombia’s Attorney General’s office.

 25 alleged members of the Diamante gang were captured in simultaneous raids across 4 cities.

Of the 22 arrests made by court order, 18 took place in Cali, Colombia and one in the nearby town of Buga; two in Bogotá and one in Medellín. The remaining three arrests were made in flagrante delicto in the capital of Valle del Cauca.

Under the coordination of a specialized prosecutor, last Tuesday uniformed officers carried out 28 simultaneous raids and searches in the cities, seizing short and long-range firearms (AK-40 rifles, Sig Sauer rifles with telescopic sights, grenade launchers, revolvers, pistols, grenades, ammunition of different calibers, accessories, essential parts for rifles and machine guns, and cell phones.

 An arsenal with short and long-range weapons & $97 million pesos were seized from the defendants.

According to the prosecutors, the investigation took place with technical and testimonial evidence, interception of communications, surveillance and monitoring. This criminal structure, prosecutors allege, had been committing crimes since April 2019, bringing weapons in from the United States and later distributing them to illegal armed groups or intermediaries in different cities throughout Colombia.

In arraignments, a Colombian judge legalized the arrests of the 25 suspects and the evidence. In the next few hours, the Prosecutor’s Office will file formal charges and request an assurance that the detainees are held without bond as allegedly responsible for the crimes of conspiracy to commit a crime and manufacture, trafficking and carrying firearms for the exclusive use of the Military Forces or explosives.

Under the coordination of a specialized prosecutor, last Tuesday uniformed officers carried out 28 simultaneous raids and searches in the cities, seizing short and long-range firearms (AK-40 rifles, Sig Sauer rifles with telescopic sights, grenade launchers, revolvers, pistols, grenades, ammunition of different calibers, accessories, essential parts for rifles and machine guns, and cell phones.