Colombian authorities arrest alleged leader of Italian mafia in Latin America
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) 鈥 Colombian authorities said Friday they captured an alleged leader of the Italian 鈥檔drangheta mafia in Latin America who is accused of overseeing cocaine shipments and managing illegal trafficking routes to Europe.
Colombian authorities said Friday they captured an alleged leader of the Italian 鈥檔drangheta mafia in Latin America who is accused of overseeing cocaine shipments and managing illegal trafficking routes to Europe.
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) 鈥 Colombian authorities said Friday they captured an alleged leader of the Italian 鈥檔drangheta mafia in Latin America who is accused of overseeing cocaine shipments and managing illegal trafficking routes to Europe.
Police identified the suspect as Giuseppe Palermo, also known as 鈥淧eppe,鈥 an Italian who was wanted under an Interpol red notice, which called for his arrest in 196 countries.
He was apprehended on the street in Colombia’s capital Bogota during a coordinated operation between Colombian, Italian and British authorities, as well as Europol, the European Union鈥檚 law enforcement agency, according to an official report.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Palermo is believed to be part of 鈥渙ne of the most tightly knit cells鈥 of the 鈥檔drangheta mafia, said Carlos Fernando Triana, head of the Colombian police, in a message posted on X.
The 鈥檔drangheta, one of Italy鈥檚 most powerful and secretive criminal organizations, has extended its influence abroad and is widely accused of importing cocaine into Europe.
The suspect 鈥渘ot only led the purchase of large shipments of cocaine in Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador, but also controlled the maritime and land routes used to transport the drugs to European markets,鈥 Triana added.
Illegal cocaine production reached 3,708 tons in 2023, an increase of nearly 34% from the previous year, driven mainly by the expansion of coca leaf cultivation in Colombia, according to the United Nations.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again.
You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our and . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google and apply.
FIRST UP
You're signed up! You'll start getting First Up in your inbox soon.
Want more of the latest from the Star? Sign up for more at our newsletter page.
You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our and . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google and apply.
EMAIL NEWS ALERTS
When big news breaks, don鈥檛 miss it with our free alerts
Error! There was an error processing your request.
There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again.
You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our and . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google and apply.
EMAIL NEWS ALERTS
You're signed up! You'll start getting news alerts in your inbox soon.
Want more of the latest from the Star? Sign up for more at our newsletter page.
You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our and . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google and apply.
Camp is a place where unexpected fun leads to unleashed potential.
With your support, The 色色啦 Star Fresh Air Fund provides opportunities for financially vulnerable children to ignite a lifelong love for adventure at camp. Above all, your kindness makes it happen.
