Alias Puchica or Negro, the ringleader of the organized gang Los Refineros who allegedly specialized in fuel theft, obtaining illegal income for carrying out criminal operations against the Military Forces, is among those arrested.
Within the framework of military operations, in a coordinated and inter-institutional manner with the National Police and the Attorney General's Office, and in compliance with different judicial orders, troops of the Eighteenth Brigade of Colombian National Army arrested six individuals accused of belonging to the organized gang The Refiners.
This group, when it appeared and according to military intelligence, would be at the service of the illegal finances of the Domingo Laín Sáenz Front, of the organized armed group (GAO) ELN.
The operation was carried out simultaneously in the municipalities of Fortul, Saravena, Tame and Arauquita, in the department of Arauca. Those arrested, identified by the aliases of Puchica, Don José, Luis or Guajibo, Carrao, Elio or Memo and David or Muelas, would be the alleged responsible for coordinating logistical activities and military operations related to the production and illegal marketing of fuels in the department of Arauca.
This gang retained a direct source of financing for the criminal structures of the GAO ELN, contributing to the maintenance of their illicit activities in the region.
The operation led to the dismantling of an illegal economic center of gravity, significantly weakening the logistical and financial resources of this armed group.
The six arrested were put into custody of the authorities and will face legal proceedings for the crimes of illegal possession of fuels, as well as for association to commit aggravated crimes.
Source: Press – National Army
