One of world's biggest traffickers arrested in Brazil

Marcos de Jesús Figueroa García was captured during a joint operation

Published on 24/10/2014 - 08:38 By Pedro Peduzzi reports from Agência Brasil - Brasília

O diretor de Investigação e Combate ao Crime Organizado da Polícia Federal, Oslain Campos Santana, e o adido policial da Colômbia no Brasil, Narciso Martinez Cubillos, durante entrevista (Elza Fiuza/Agência Brasil)

Oslain Santana, director of the Federal Police Division on Organized Crime, and Colombia Police attaché Narcizo MartinezElza Fiúza/Agência Brasil

One of the most sought-after drug traffickers was arrested in Boa Vista, state capital of Roraima, on Wednesday (Oct 22) by Brazil's Federal Police (PF). The operation was also supported by the Colombian National Police. Better known as Marquito Figueroa, drug dealer Marcos de Jesús Figueroa García is likely to be extradited to Colombia in 60 days, said Police Commissioner Oslain Santana, PF Director for Investigation and Combat Against Organized Crime .

Marquito Figueroa is facing over 100 charges in Colombia. As he is regarded a highly dangerous criminal, the Colombian government had offered a bounty of $250 thousand to those able to provide information that could lead to his imprisonment. “It's someone involved with violence, traffic of cocaine, murders, and also a spectacular escape from prison in 2002 [in Colombia],” Santana remarked during a press conference.

“We had been looking for this delinquent for years. He was facing five arrest orders for different thefts, among which drug trafficking, smuggling, criminal conspiracy, and homicides. We believe he has committed over 250 murders, including that of local authorities and politicians connected mostly with mayors,” noted Narcizo Martinez, an attaché from the Colombian Police working in Brazil.

Approximately a year ago, the Colombian police placed an agent among Figueroa's partners. Santana explains, “In August, we received a note from Colombia informing us he would be in national territory. We launched an investigation and confirmed that he was in Brazil. We requested the Federal Supreme Court to issue an arrest and extradition warrant, which was granted yesterday, in cooperation with the Colombian police.”

His arrest did not take place immediately, as the Brazilian police still had to confirm the criminal's identity. “We experienced difficulties, because he was carrying forged documents,” the commissioner added, saying also that the operation was well planned and that for this reason no shots were fired. “There was also no resistance on his part either,” he declared.

PF further announced that, at the moment of the arrest, no weapons or money were seized at Figueroa's home. “We'll start an investigation to ascertain whether he committed money laundering in Brazil,” the commissioner stated. On Thursday (23), the dealer was transferred to São Paulo, where he will remain in custody at the PF Superintendency awaiting extradition to Colombia. According to the Colombian police attaché, Figueroa might be extradited to the United States after his extradition to Colombia.

In Santana's view, the success of the operation comes as a result of agreements between Brazil and its neighboring countries, like Colombia, Bolivia, Argentina, Peru, Paraguay, and Uruguay. “Through these partnerships, we exchange information and offer training to police officers in several countries. Today's operation is an example of this cooperation,” he concluded.


Translated by Fabrício Ferreira

This translation was updated on Thursday (Oct 24) to include Figueroa's transfer to São Paulo.


Fonte: One of world's biggest traffickers arrested in Brazil

Edition: Armando Cardoso / Augusto Queiroz

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