Undercover officer dismantles 'Los Ingenieros' gang in Usme: 172 arrested
A National Police investigator spent nearly a year undercover in the gang led by alias Picolino in Bogotá. Operation Kratos resulted in 172 detentions and revealed torture and the use of acid against victims.
Year-long police infiltration dismantles criminal structure of alias Picolino in Bogotá
For approximately one year, an investigator with the National Police operated undercover within the criminal structure known as Los Ingenieros, active in the Usme district in the south-east of Bogotá. According to infobae.com, her work was crucial to the capture of the gang leader identified as alias Picolino within the framework of Operation Kratos, led by lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella.
The operation was carried out in the early morning of 28 October and involved the Metropolitan Police of Bogotá, the National Prosecutor's Office, the District Security Secretariat, the 13th Army Brigade, the national Government and the Mayor's Office. The official toll was 172 arrests, 114 raids and actions against 10 criminal structures across eight districts of the capital.
Escape tunnel and Compostela neighbourhood
Alias Picolino was detained in the Compostela neighbourhood, where he attempted to flee through an underground passage connecting his girlfriend's home to a neighbouring house. The undercover investigator described the construction to Noticias RCN: "It ran from his house, his girlfriend's house, and connected to the neighbouring house".
The man, who is believed to have been involved in crime for more than 15 years, has been remanded in custody at La Picota prison while judicial proceedings continue against him. The Prosecutor's Office must prove to the judges the charges and responsibilities attributed to him.
Minors used, torture and acid
The officer established that the gang allegedly used minors to commit criminal activities and maintained a presence in sectors of Usme including Compostela, Tocaimita, San Isidro and El Refugio. "We initially identified use of minors in the commission of crimes, and crimes including homicide, extortion and torture," the officer said.
Among the cases under investigation is an assault on a woman who, according to known reports, had her hand mutilated, a fact that De la Espriella directly reminded the detainee of when confronting him. Additionally, investigations are ongoing into allegations of the use of corrosive substances to attempt to dispose of bodies, as well as the alleged kidnapping and disappearance of tourists from San Andrés.
General Giovanni Cristancho, commander of the Metropolitan Police of Bogotá, stated that Los Ingenieros intimidated residents of the area through gunfire and demanded payments in exchange for allowing them to remain in the zone.
Hitman chief killed and seizure summary
During the operation, alias Andresito, identified by authorities as the chief of hitmen for Los Ingenieros, was killed. According to authorities, the man responded with gunfire against the uniformed officers who were taking part in the procedure.
The official arrest toll included 92 people for criminal conspiracy, 29 for drug trafficking, 22 for theft, 15 for illegal weapons possession and three for homicide. Authorities also reported the seizure of 11 firearms, three grenades, drugs, mobile phones and 10.1 million pesos in cash.
Those detained were handed over to the Prosecutor's Office, which continues with judicial proceedings.
Source: Google News CO — Bogotá