Those arrested focused their criminal acts on extorting money from merchants and ranchers in the region.
In compliance with the Ayacucho Plus Campaign Plan, troops of the Military Gaula (Anti-Extortion and Anti-Kidnapping Group) department of Cesar, of the Tenth Brigade, in coordination with the Criminal Investigation Directorate, the Air Combat Command No. 3 and the Investigative Group Against Organized Crime, reported the arrest of three alleged members of the organized armed group, GAO, Clan del Golfo, in the village Puente Quemado, municipality of El Copey, department of Cesar.
Those arrested would belong to the Ferney Antonio López Polo Substructure of this armed group, and would be linked to the crimes of extortion, association to commit crimes and illegal carrying of firearms and ammunition. They were placed at the put into custody of the authority for the respective judicial processes.
One of the detainees is alias Fernando, accused of being a financial ringleader in the northwestern subregion of Cesar, allegedly in charge of exercising criminal control through threats and intimidation of merchants and ranchers. In the same way was arrested alias Vaquero, the alleged head of hitmen, accused of coordinating targeted killings and participating in the kidnapping of two military in 2025. Finally, alias Villa would be responsible for criminal intelligence work and selection of victims for extortion, in addition to being investigated for theft and drug trafficking.
During the operation, 3 firearms, a magazine, 26 cartridges of different calibers and documents with financial and intelligence information were found by troops.
This result of the military operation contributes to weakening the armed component, illicit activities and logistical routes of the GAO Clan del Golfo Cartel in the north of the country, hitting its terrorist support networks and its territorial expansion plans in the department of Cesar.
The Tenth Brigade of Colombian National Army reaffirms its commitment to the security and well-being of Colombians, through powerful military operations that counter threats to peace and legality.
Source: Colombian National Army
