Arrested in Tarragona, leader of 'La Mesa' sought for massacre of seven people in Colombia
Spanish police arrested Jhonatan Alexander Castrillón Arango, alias 'Pirry', in Tarragona, sought by Colombia through Interpol red notice.
Second head of Colombian gang captured in Tarragona, accused of seven murders
Spanish police detained Jhonatan Alexander Castrillón Arango, alias 'Pirry', on Tuesday in Tarragona, considered one of the main leaders of Colombian criminal organisation 'La Mesa', according to Google News ES — Crime. Castrillón is accused of being the intellectual author of the massacre of seven workers at a farm in the municipality of Rionegro, Antioquia, in June 2024.
The arrest was announced by Colombia's president, Abelardo de la Espriella, who stated that Castrillón has accumulated 22 years of criminal activity and was sought internationally through an Interpol red notice. The detention was carried out in coordination between Colombia's National Police — through the DIJIN and DIPOL — and Spanish authorities.
The facts that led to the arrest warrant occurred in the sector known as Alto del Perro, in Rionegro, where the bodies of seven people with bullet wounds were found. Two additional victims were injured in the same attack. For this multiple murder, three people have already been convicted: Fredis Jesús Borja Guerra was sentenced in May 2025 to 25 years in prison, whilst Felipe Osorio Álvarez and María Camila Rendón each received 23 years' imprisonment.
Castrillón ranks as the second head of 'La Mesa', an organisation that operates mainly in the department of Antioquia. His record includes charges of murder, manufacture and trafficking of firearms and conspiracy to commit crime. Authorities also link him to the coordination of international drug trafficking destined for European countries, including Spain, France and Italy.
Rionegro, an agroindustrial municipality located around 50 kilometres from Medellín, is home to José María Córdova international airport, one of Colombia's principal air connection hubs in the north-west with Europe.
The capture of alias 'Pirry' in Tarragona now opens the process for his surrender to Colombian authorities, which are processing his extradition.
Source: Google News ES — Crime (es)