BOGOTA, - Colombian authorities captured the veteran capo of the dismantled Medellin cartel, Marco Antonio Gil García, alias "El Papero", alleged partner/associate of the Juarez cartel, according to the Criminal Investigation Department (DIJIN).
The capture occurred in western Bogota, the Colombian capital, when the drug trafficker "driving his truck contacting one of his partners," said the report, issued in conjunction with Interpol (International Criminal Police Organization).
According to security agencies, Gil Garzon, 69 years old, "enjoyed the fortune he amassed during his almost 30 years as a senior drug partner of Fabio Ochoa Vasco, Edgar Guillermo Vallejo Guarin, Beto Gitano, and Miguel Arroyave in Colombia."
The Colombian capo was also a partner of Eduardo Gonzalez Quirarte (alias Lalo) and Alcides Ramon Málaga (alais El Metro), henchmen of Amado Carrillo Fuentes (Lord of the Skies), principal leader of the Juarez Cartel, now deceased.
According to the authorities, in the mid-1990s, when the Colombian authorities hit the Medellin cartel, Gil Garcia was responsible for procuring drug routes, men, weapons as well as establishing new partnerships.
The drug trafficker created alliances with Mexican drug traffickers arranging drug shipments from Colombia and Venezuela to Central America with final destination being the United States.
Gil Garcia managed to structure a significant business network in central Bogota marketing perishables, potatoes, flowers, intertwined with his construction, transportation, travel businesses arranging the transfer of goods and passengers. He owned real estate businesses in Colombia as well.
The detainee will be brought to justice in Colombia "for the crimes of manufacturing, possession and trafficking of drugs, money laundering, conspiracy, and illicit enrichment of individuals," added the report.
Sources: Noticias, Excelsior, Military Protection Juarez CartelNews Of A Kidnapping - Gabriel Garcia Marquez - one of many good books on Colombia
