With the aim of weakening the illicit activities of the GAO Clan del Golfo, Carreteras Jhon Fredy Orejuela Substructure, a joint and coordinated military operation was carried out by the Colombian Aerospace Force, Colombian National Army, the Colombian Navy and the National Police, in the village of San Isidro, municipality of Río Quito, department of Chocó, where 18 Open-pit Mining Production Units used for the illicit exploitation of gold mining deposits were intervened.
Within the framework of the operation, and thanks to the air resources, supported by image intelligence platforms, King-350 aircraft equipped with electro-optical sensors and Huey II helicopters, it was possible to identify and find yellow machinery used in this illicit activity, being disabled six Brazilian dragons (big dredges) and 12 engines. In the same way, 13 people were arrested, who remained into custody of the authorities.
In this way, an estimated damage of $9,078 million pesos was caused in destroyed machinery, whose illicit production reached approximately 24,000 grams of gold per month, valued at more than $8,640 million pesos. This result significantly weakens the finances of the Gulf GAO Clan del Golfo and, in turn, mitigates the environmental impact caused by deforestation and the indiscriminate use of natural resources in the region.
The coordination of efforts conducted by the 5th Air Combat Command, the Brigade against the Illicit Exploitation of Mining deposits, the 12th Infantry Battalion, the 16th Navy Infantry River Battalion and the Carabineros and Environmental Protection Section of the Department of Chocó, led to a direct attack on the criminal structure, limiting its sources of illicit financing and reaffirming the commitment of the Military and Police Forces to environmental protection, security and stability in the department of Chocó.
Source: Office of Public Communications CACOM 5
