Prosecution investigates seven for money laundering from drug trafficking through ambulance company
The criminal network "La Constru" allegedly concealed illicit resources through medical transport companies in six Colombian cities since 2015.
Network used ambulance companies to conceal drug trafficking money in Colombia
The Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating seven people for their alleged participation in an organisation called "La Constru", which is said to have laundered money from drug trafficking through medical transport companies and ambulances. According to infobae.com, the activity has been recorded since 2015 in Mocoa, Cartago, Neiva, Pasto, Popayán and a municipality in Caldas.
The investigation includes the offences of money laundering, money laundering through third parties, and criminal conspiracy. The investigation was initially revealed by the media outlet La Patria on Sunday morning.
Service simulation and accounting manipulation
According to the prosecution, the network is alleged to have simulated the provision of healthcare services, acquired vehicles and altered invoicing and accounting records to conceal and legitimise resources from drug trafficking. One of the companies was established in Mocoa on 21 December 2015; another, based in Caldas, on 24 August 2019.
The individual with the alias Chamón is said to have led the organisation and coordinated its finances. The prosecution claims that he established both companies with illicit money and ordered third parties to appear as shareholders or owners of assets acquired with those resources.
Roles of those implicated
The case file indicates different levels of responsibility among the seven people under investigation. The person identified as "Paola" is said to have acted as a shareholder and legal representative of the Mocoa company, in addition to lending her name for the acquisition of vehicles and other assets. "Nata", meanwhile, is alleged to have been a shareholder of the company based in Caldas and intervened in the purchase of ambulances and assets to create the appearance of legal origin.
Chamón's sentimental partner is said to have served as legal representative of the Mocoa company and participated in the administration of the businesses. An accountant and a billing co-ordinator are alleged to have manipulated accounting records, invoices and finances to conceal the origin of the funds. Furthermore, a retired member of the National Army is said to have lent his name to acquire vehicles and moveable property with illicit money.
Preliminary hearings and judicial decisions
The preliminary hearings took place in 2025 before the 101st Municipal Criminal Court with a Guarantee Control Function of Buga. None of the defendants accepted the charges during the proceeding. The court imposed pre-trial detention in prison for the majority; two women were granted house arrest.
In April 2026, the defence challenged the court's jurisdiction and argued that the case should be transferred to a Specialised Criminal Court in Mocoa. The prosecution opposed the argument, noting that the organisation had a presence in several departments and cities. The Supreme Court of Justice recently ruled that the proceedings will remain in Buga, with the judge's decisions thus becoming final.
Eight detained in separate operation for extradition to the United States
In a separate case, the prosecution arrested eight people on 21 October who are wanted for extradition by United States authorities within investigations into alleged drug trafficking, money laundering and criminal conspiracy. The operations took place in Bogotá, Barranquilla, Cajicá and Maicao.
Seven of those detained are wanted by a federal court in Puerto Rico. Among them is Guillermo Carpio Cárdenas, known as "Guillo" or "Gallo", identified as a possible leader of the structure. Also captured were Alex Alberto Castillo Gómez, Jhon Jairo Torres Peláez, Nizar Hachem Sawan, Andrés Mauricio Guarnizo Vaca, Danilo Andrés Hernández Junco and Juan Daniel Arenas Uribe, alias Juan Arenas.
According to the hypothesis of United States authorities, the network is alleged to have used transfers to third parties, fractional deposits in smaller amounts and tokens to move and conceal resources of illicit origin, with operations registered in Bogotá and Barranquilla.
The operation was coordinated by the Specialised Directorate Against Criminal Organisations of the prosecution, with the participation of the Technical Investigation Body (CTI), the National Army and the Colombian Navy. José Luis Ramírez Hinestroza, director of the CTI, indicated that the operation had support from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS-CI).
Source: Google News CO — Crime