In a joint and inter-institutional operation, troops of the 13th Tequendama Medium Cavalry Group, or the Thirteenth Brigade of Colombian National Army, and the Military Air Transport Command (CATAM), of the Colombian Aerospace Force, in coordination with the Technical Investigation Corps, CTI, of the Attorney General's Office, seized a Hughes 500 helicopter (Huey 500), along with an aero engine, during three search procedures carried out in the vicinity of the municipalities of Funza and Cota , Cundinamarca department , and at the Guaymaral Airfield, in Bogotá, D.C.
According to the first investigative verifications, this aircraft, allegedly used by structures linked to drug trafficking, had been seized by the National Police in 1992, and currently reports two denunciations for the alleged crimes of theft and falsehood.
During the specialized technique inspection by aeronautical experts, it was determined that the rivets of the identification plate would not correspond to the factory originals, a circumstance that could configure behaviors associated with the adulteration of aeronautical identification and trademark forgery, in accordance with current regulations.
The confiscation was mainly based on the alleged irregularity detected in the structural identification of the aircraft, which is why it was put into custody of the Attorney General's Office, in order to carry out a detailed technical study to establish its traceability, structural authenticity and legality in the corresponding aeronautical searches.
Through this result of the military operation, possible illicit activities associated with criminal structures that commit crimes in the center of the country are prevented, reaffirming the commitment of Colombian National Army and the coordinated institutions with legality, the fight against organized crime and the security of Colombians.
Source: Press - National Army
