Authorities capture 37 involved in 'Los Rastrojos' network, 13 Colombian officials

[Judi Lynn]

Authorities capture 37 involved in 'Los Rastrojos' network, 13 Colombian officials
Monday, 30 May 2011 12:15
Tom Heyden

A complex criminal network linked to drug trafficking group "Los Rastrojos" was dismantled in the western Colombian department of Choco, with 13 out of the 37 captured coming from the authorities themselves, Caracol Radio reported Monday.

Among the 37 people detained were seven policemen, two investigators from the Technical Investigation Team (CTI), two members of the Colombian Navy -- one of whom was the head of intelligence in the area -- as well as a councillor from Nuqui and a secretary to the municipal court in Bahia Solano, Choco.

The detained are alleged to have served as informants for "Los Rastrojos," alerting them to ongoing investigations by the Colombian authorities and the military operations in the region.

Within the next 36 hours, the prosecutor general is expected to present the detainees before a judge and officially charge them with a number of crimes, including conspiracy.

http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/16619-37-involved-in-los-rastrojos-network-captured-13-of-them-colombian-authorities.html