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Cali Cartel
Gilberto Rodríguez Orejuela
Miguel Rodríguez Orejuela
José Santacruz Londoño
Hélmer Herrera Buitrago
Jairo Ivan Urdinola-Grajales
Julio Fabio Urdinola-Grajales
Henry Loaiza-Ceballos
Victor Patiño-Fomeque
Phanor Arizabaleta-Arzayus
Raul Grajales-Lemos
Luis Grajales-Posso
Juan Carlos Ortiz Escobar

The Cali Cartel was a drug cartel based in southern Colombia, around the city of Cali and the Valle del Cauca Department. Gilberto Rodríguez Orejuela, also known as "El Ajedrecista" ("The Chess Player" is a 65 year-old Colombian Druglord, head of the Cali Cartel Miguel Rodríguez Orejuela was the number two leader of the Cali Cartel, after his older brother Gilberto Rodríguez Orejuela. José "Chepe" Santacruz-Londoño, or simply "Chepe" Santacruz (1943 to March 5, 1996) was after Gilberto Rodríguez Orejuela Francisco Hélmer Herrera Buitrago also known as "Pacho" and "H7" (born on August 24, 1951 in Palmira, Valle del Cauca Henry Loaiza-Ceballos aka El Alacran (The Scorpion was a Colombian drugdealer part of the Cali Cartel. Victor Julio Patiño-Fomeque aka El Quimico (the Chemist is a Colombian narcotrafficker member of the Cali Cartel and currently serving time in a prison Phanor Arizabaleta-Arzayus is Colombian drugtrafficker former member of the Cali Cartel fifth most important in the chain of command Juan Carlos Ortiz Escobar aka Cuchilla (blade was a Colombian drug dealer and prominent member of the Cali Cartel. Colombia (kəˈlʌmbɪə officially the Republic of Colombia () is a country in northwestern South America. The Cali Cartel was founded by the Rodríguez Orejuela brothers, Gilberto and Miguel, as well as associate José Santacruz Londoño. Gilberto Rodríguez Orejuela, also known as "El Ajedrecista" ("The Chess Player" is a 65 year-old Colombian Druglord, head of the Cali Cartel Miguel Rodríguez Orejuela was the number two leader of the Cali Cartel, after his older brother Gilberto Rodríguez Orejuela. José "Chepe" Santacruz-Londoño, or simply "Chepe" Santacruz (1943 to March 5, 1996) was after Gilberto Rodríguez Orejuela Later Cali cartel principals included Hélmer Herrera, Jairo Ivan Urdinola Grajales, Julio Fabio Urdinola Grajales, Henry Loaiza Ceballos, Victor Patiño Fomeque, Phanor Arizabaleta Arzayus, Raul Grajales Lemos, Luis Grajales Posso, Bernardo Saenz and Juan Carlos Ortiz Escobar. Francisco Hélmer Herrera Buitrago also known as "Pacho" and "H7" (born on August 24, 1951 in Palmira, Valle del Cauca Henry Loaiza-Ceballos aka El Alacran (The Scorpion was a Colombian drugdealer part of the Cali Cartel. Juan Carlos Ortiz Escobar aka Cuchilla (blade was a Colombian drug dealer and prominent member of the Cali Cartel. [1]

Contents

Foundation

Gilberto Rodriguez Orejuela
Gilberto Rodriguez Orejuela

At the foundation of the Cali Cartel was the Orejuela brothers and Londoño, all coming from what is described as a higher social background than most other traffickers of the time. [2] The recognition of this social background was displayed in the groups nickname as "Cali's Gentlemen. "[3][4]

The group originally assembled as a ring of kidnappers known as Las Chemas, which was led by Luis Fernando Tamayo Garcia. In Criminal law, kidnapping is the taking away or Asportation of a person against the person's will usually to hold the person in False imprisonment Las Chemas were implicated in numerous kidnappings including that of two Swiss citizens, a diplomat Herman Buff and a student, Werner Jose Straessle. Switzerland (English pronunciation; Schweiz Swiss German: Schwyz or Schwiiz Suisse Svizzera Svizra officially the Swiss Confederation They reportedly received $700,000 dollars in ransom, which is believed to have gone on to fund their drug trafficking empire. Ransom is the practice of holding a prisoner to extort money or property to secure their release or it can refer to the sum of money involved [5]

The assembled group first involved itself in trafficking marijuana. Cannabis, also known as marijuana or marihuana, or ganja (from Hindi / Sanskrit: गांजा gānjā hemp) is a Due to the products low profit rate, and larger amount required to traffic to cover resources, the fledgling group decided to shift their focus to the more lucrative drug, cocaine. Cocaine ( benzoylmethyl ecgonine) is a Crystalline Tropane Alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the Coca plant [5]

In the early 1970's the cartel sent Helmer "Pacho" Herrera to New York City to establish a distribution center. The City of New York This action came during a time when the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) was not fully pursuing cocaine, and viewed the drug as less critical than heroin, at one point releasing a report stating of cocaine it "is not physically addictive . The Drug Enforcement Administration ( DEA) is a United States Department of Justice Law enforcement agency tasked with combating drug smuggling and Heroin ( INN: diacetylmorphine, BAN: diamorphine) is a semi-synthetic opioid synthesized from Morphine, a derivative . . and does not usually result in serious consequences, such as crime, hospital emergency room admissions or both. "[5]

Organization

Miguel Rodriguez Orejuela
Miguel Rodriguez Orejuela

The lax attitude of the DEA on cocaine is believed to be what allowed the group to prosper, but also to develop and organize itself into multiple "cells" that appeared to operate independently, yet reported to a "celeno" or manager, who then reported back to Cali. [4] The independent cell structure is what set the Cali Cartel apart from the more dominant Medellín Cartel. The Medellín Cartel was an organized network of drug smugglers ( Drug cartel) originating in the city of Medellín in Colombia and operating The Cali Cartel operated as a tight group of independent criminal organizations, as opposed to the Medellíns' structure of a central leader, Pablo Escobar. Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria', aka El Patrón or El Doctor ( December 1, 1949 – December 2, 1993) gained [3][6]

It was believed each cell would report to a larger group, who would then report to the leaders of the cartel. The groups as cited by former Cali accountant Guillermo Pallomari are:[7]

The Cali Cartel would eventually go on to be known by then DEA chief Thomas Constantine as "The biggest, most powerful crime syndicate we've ever known. Thomas A Constantine served as Administrator for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA between April 15, 1994 and July 1999 "[8][4]

Activities

Trafficking

The Cali Cartel, whose brief roots began in trafficking marijuana, soon shifted to cocaine due to its ease of transporting and greater profit margin. The cartel would be known for innovation in trafficking and production by moving its refining operations out of Colombia to Peru and Bolivia, as well as for pioneering new trafficking routes through Panama. Peru (Perú Piruw Piruw officially the Republic of Peru ( reˈpuβlika del peˈɾu is a country in western South America. The Republic of Bolivia (República de Bolivia) named after Simón Bolívar, is a Landlocked country in central South America. Panama, officially the Republic of Panama (República de Panamá) is the southernmost country of Central America. The Cartel also diversified into opium and was reported to have brought in a Japanese chemist to help its refining operation. Opium is a Narcotic formed from the Latex (ie sap released by lacerating (or "scoring" the immature seed pods of opium poppies ( [9][6]

According to reports and testimony of Thomas Constantine to the United States Congress, "Cali would be the dominant group in trafficking South American heroin due to their access to the opium growing areas of Colombia. The United States Congress is the bicameral Legislature of the federal government of the United States of America, consisting of two houses Heroin ( INN: diacetylmorphine, BAN: diamorphine) is a semi-synthetic opioid synthesized from Morphine, a derivative " Debate over the cartels participation in heroin trafficking remains. It is believed the cartels leaders were not involved in heroin trading, however close associates to them were, such as Ivan Urdinola-Grajales. [4] Their relationships it is believed lead to cooperation with heroin distribution centers. [5]

At the height of the Cali Cartel's reign, they were cited as having control over 70% of the worlds cocaine market and, for being directly responsible for the growth of the cocaine market in Europe, controlling 90% of the market. [4] By the mid 1990's the trafficking empire of the Cali Cartel was a multi-billion dollar enterprise. [10][3]

Financial

Cali Cartel money laundering chart (click to enlarge)
Cali Cartel money laundering chart (click to enlarge)

In order to launder the incoming money of the trafficking operations, the Cali cartel heavily invested its funds into legitimate business ventures as well as front companies to mask the money through. Money laundering is the practice of engaging in financial Transactions in order to conceal the Identity, source and/or destination of Money, In 1996 it was believed the Cartel was making 7 billion in annual revenue. [3][11][12]

With the influx of cash comes the need to launder the funds. One of the first instances of the Cali Cartel laundering operations came when Gilberto Rodriguez Orejuela was able to secure the position of Chairman of the Board, of Banco de Trabajadores. The bank was believed to be used to launder funds for the Cali cartel, as well as Pablo Escobars' Medellín Cartel. Cartel members were permitted, through their affiliation with Gilberto, to overdraft accounts and take out loans without repayment. An overdraft occurs when withdrawals from a Bank account exceed the available balance which gives the account a negative balance - a person can be said to have [5][11][4]

Capitalizing off of this basis, Gilberto was able to found the First InterAmericas Bank operating out of Panama. [5] In an interview with Time magazine, Gilberto admitted to money being laundered through the bank, however attributed the process to only legal actions. Time (trademarked in capitals as TIME) is a weekly American Newsmagazine, similar to Newsweek and The laundering, which Gilberto states was "in accordance with Panamanian law", is what lead to the US authorities pursuing him. Gilberto later started a the Grupo Radial Colombiano, a network of over 30 radio stations and a pharmaceutical chain named Drogas la Rebaja, which at its height amassed over 400 stores in 28 cities, employing 4200 employees. The pharmaceutical chains value was estimated at $216 million. [13][11][4]

Bribery

See also: 8000 Process

In contrast to the Medellín Cartel who went to war with the government of Colombia, engaging in narco-terrorism, the Cali cartel attempted instead to gain influence within the government through bribes and favors. 8000 Process (from the Spanish Proceso 8000) was the unofficial name of the legal investigation of the events surrounding the scandal regarding the partial financing with Narcoterrorism is a term coined by former President Fernando Belaúnde Terry of Peru in 1983 when describing terrorist-type attacks against his nation's anti-narcotics Bribery, a form of pecuniary corruption is an act usually implying money or gift given that alters the behaviour of the recipient in ways not consistent with the duties of that person [6] Gilberto was once quoted as saying "we don't kill judges, we buy them. " It is believed Miguel Orejuela at one point had over 2,800 people on his payroll, from government officials to taxi drivers. [3] The Orejuela's social background is cited as being a contributing factor to their relations with the oligarchy of Colombia. Oligarchy' ( Greek, Oligarkhía) is a Form of government where Political power effectively rests with a small elite segment One of the most public revelations of attempted bribery came when it was revealed the presidential campaign of Ernesto Samper had received 6 million from the Cali cartel. Ernesto Samper Pizano also known as "El elefante" (born August 3, 1950 in Bogotá) is a Colombian politician [9] As fallout from the revelation, Sampers' 1995 campaign manager, Santiago Medin was forced to retire, as well as three other government ministers for their involvement with the Cali cartel, or accepting money from them. [2][3]

Due to the depths of the Cali cartels bribery and governmental influence, Prosecutor General Alfonso Valdivieso stated "The corruption of the Cali cartel is worse than the terrorism of the Medellín cartel . . . "[14]

Violence

Discipline

Political violence was largely discounted by the Cali Cartel, as the threat of violence often sufficed. The organization of the cartel was structured so that only people who had family in Colombia would handle operations that involved both Cali and U. S. sites, keeping the family within reach of the cartel. Family members became the cartel's insurance against members going to the officials or refusing payments of product received. The threat of death also hung over those who made mistakes. It is believed the cartel would often kill junior members who made gross errors. [6] While government officials were often spared violence, junior members and the city's poor reportedly were not. [4]

Social cleansing

In End of Millennium, Manuel Castells states the Cali Cartel had participated in social cleansing of hundreds to thousands of "desechables" (English: Discardables). English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States The desechables included prostitutes, street children, petty thieves, homosexuals and the homeless. Prostitution is the act of performing Sexual activity in exchange for Money. Street children is a term used to refer to children who live on the streets Homosexuality refers to sexual behavior with or attraction to people of the same sex or to a Homosexual orientation. Homelessness is the condition and social category of people who lack housing because they cannot afford or are otherwise unable to maintain regular safe and adequate shelter Along with members of the local bourgeoisie, the Cali Cartel formed parties self named grupos de limpieza social (English: social cleansing groups) who murdered the "desechables," often leaving them with signs on them stating: "Cali limpia, Cali Linda" (English: Cali clean, Cali beautiful). English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States The bodies of those murdered were often tossed into the Cauca River, which later became known as the River of Death. The Cauca River is a River in Colombia that lies between the Occidental and Central Cordilleras Born in southwestern Colombia The municipality of Marsella in Risaralda eventually went broke at the cost of recovering corpses and conducting autopsies. Marsella is a town and municipality in the Department of Risaralda, Colombia. An autopsy, also known as a post-mortem examination, necropsy, or obduction, is a Medical procedure that consists of a thorough Examination [2][15]

Retaliation

Jose Santacruz Londoño
Jose Santacruz Londoño

In the early 1980's and 1990's the left-wing paramilitaries had struck at the drug cartels. In 1981 the then paramilitary group, Movimiento 19 de Abril (English: 19th of April Movement) (M-19), kidnapped Marta Nieves Ochoa, the sister of the Medellín Cartels Ochoa brothers, Jorge, Fabio and Juan David. The 19th of April Movement, "Movimiento 19 de Abril" or M-19, was a Colombian guerrilla movement English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States Jorge Luis Ochoa Vázquez was a Drug trafficker from Medellín, Colombia who helped found the notorious Medellín Cartel in the late 1970s Fabio Ochoa Vázquez (born May 2, 1957) was a ranking member of the notorious Medellín Cartel, which was one of the top Colombian M-19 demanded a ransom of 15 million for the safe release of Marta Nieves, but were rejected. In response to the kidnapping the Medellín and Cali cartels, as well as associated traffickers, formed the group Muerte a Secuestradores (English: Death to Kidnappers) (MAS). Muerte a Secuestradores (English Death to Kidnappers) or MAS, was a Colombian Paramilitary group supported by Drug cartels and English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States Traffickers contributed funds, rewards, equipment and manpower for MAS operations. Leaflets were soon after dropped in a soccer field in Cali announcing the formation of the group. MAS began to capture and torture M-19 members in retaliation. Within 3 days Marta Nieves was released. The group MAS however would continue to operate, with hundreds of killings attributed to them. [16][5]

In 1992 the guerrilla faction Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (English: Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) (FARC) kidnapped Christina Santa Cruz, the daughter of Cali Cartel leader José Santacruz Londoño. The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People’s Army (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia – Ejército del Pueblo also known by the Acronym of English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States FARC demanded in exchange for the safe return of Christina a ransom of $10 million. In response the Cali Cartel kidnapped 20 or more members of the Colombian Communist Party, Patriotic Union, the United Workers Union and the sister of Pablo Catatumbo, a representative of the Simón Bolívar Guerrilla Coordinating Board. The Colombian Communist Party (in Spanish: Partido Comunista Colombiano) or PCC is the legal Communist party of Colombia The Simón Bolívar Guerrilla Coordinating Board ( Spanish: Coordinadora Guerrillera Simón Bolívar or CGSB) was an Umbrella group Eventually, after talks, Christina and the sister of Catatumbo were released. It is unknown what happened to the other hostages taken by the cartel. [16][5][14]

During the narco-terror war waged by Pablo Escobar on the Colombian Government, it is believed a hired assassin attempted to kill Herrera while he was attending a sports event. Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria', aka El Patrón or El Doctor ( December 1, 1949 – December 2, 1993) gained AssassiNation is the sixth album by Krisiun, released in 2006 on Century Media. The gunman opened fire with a machine gun on the crowd where Herrera was sitting, killing 19, however not hitting Herrera. In response to the attempted assassination, the Cali cartel responded by kidnapping and killing Gustavo Gaviria, cousin to Pablo Escobar. In Criminal law, kidnapping is the taking away or Asportation of a person against the person's will usually to hold the person in False imprisonment Herrera is believed to be a founding member of Los Pepes, a group who operated alongside authorities with the intention of killing or capturing Pablo Escobar. Los Pepes (from Spanish: Pe rseguidos por P ablo Es cobar "people persecuted by Pablo Escobar") was a short-lived Vigilante [17]

Counterintelligence

The counter-intelligence efforts of the Cali Cartel often surprised the DEA and Colombian officials. It was discovered in a 1995 raid of Cali Cartel offices, that the cartel had been monitoring all phone calls made in and out of Bogotá and Cali including the U. Bogotá —officially named Bogotá DC (DC for " Distrito Capital " which means "Capital District" formerly called Santa Fe de Bogotá S. Embassy in Bogotá and the Ministry of Defense. The Ministry of National Defense is the Colombian Ministry in charge of Security and defense of Colombia managing the Armed Forces of Colombia; the The laptop, reportedly acquired through Israel, allowed Londoño to eavesdrop on phone calls being made as well as analyze phone lines for wiretaps. While officials were able to discover the use of the laptop, it is reported they were unable to decrypt many of the files due to sophisticated encryption techniques. [2] Londoño was also believed to have a person within the phone company itself, which the officials realized when he was able to recognize a phone tap, one that had been placed directly at the phone company, instead of at his residence. Londoño's lawyer soon sent an official notice requesting the legality and requesting the warrant if one was produced. [18][2]

Included in the list of government officials and officers on the Cali Cartel payroll were a reported 5,000 taxi drivers. The taxi drivers would allow the cartel to know who was arriving in the city and when, as well as where they were staying. By having numerous taxi drivers on the payroll, the cartel was able to monitor the movements of officials and dignitaries. It is reported by Time Magazine, in 1991, DEA and U. S. Customs Service (now ICE) agents were monitoring a shipment being offloaded in Miami, only to find out later that the DEA agents were the target of Cali surveillance at the same time. [18]

Medellín cartel relations

First InterAmericas Bank

Jorge Ochoa, a high ranking Medellín financier, and Gilberto Rodriguez had been childhood friends and would years later co-own the Panamanian First InterAmericas Bank. Jorge Luis Ochoa Vázquez was a Drug trafficker from Medellín, Colombia who helped found the notorious Medellín Cartel in the late 1970s The institution would later be cited by United States officials as a money laundering operation, allowing both the Cali Cartel and the Medellín Cartel to move large amounts of funds through the bank. Only through diplomatic pressure, on then Panamanian President Manuel Noriega, could the U. Manuel Antonio Noriega (born February 11, 1934) He was never officially the President of Panama, but held the post of "chief executive officer" S. put an end to the banks use as a money laundering front. [16] Gilberto Rodriguez would later in a Time Magazine interview admit to laundering money through the bank, however states no Panamanian laws were broken during the process. [11]

Muerte a Secuestradores

Main article: Muerte a Secuestradores

The two cartels would participate in other joint ventures in later years, such as the founding of MAS, who successfully returned Ochoa's kidnapped sister, Marta Nieves Ochoa. Muerte a Secuestradores (English Death to Kidnappers) or MAS, was a Colombian Paramilitary group supported by Drug cartels and Expanding on the prior success of MAS, the cartels and independent traffickers would meet again. The second meeting is believed to have been the start of organization in trafficking between the primary participants, the Medellín cartel, and Cali cartel. The two cartels divided up the major United States distribution points between themselves, the Cali cartel taking New York City and the Medellín cartel taking South Florida and Miami, Los Angeles was left up for grabs. Through their affiliation in MAS, it is also believed the cartels decided to work together to stabilize prices, production and shipments of the cocaine market. The strategic alliance formed in the foundation of MAS in 1981 was starting to crumble by 1983-1984 due to the ease of competition. As the cartels set up infrastructure, routes, transport methods and bribes, it became easier for competition and establish similar deals, or make use of those already in place by other cartels. By 1987 the cooperation forged by the formation of MAS has no longer existed, contributing factors to this demise was the Medellín cartels' Rodriguez Gacha, who attempted to move in on the New York City market, previously ceded to the Cali cartel and, the 1986 arrest of Jorge Ochoa at a police roadblock, an arrest the Medellín cartel believed was suspicious and attributed partly to the Cali cartel. José Gonzalo Rodríguez Gacha (May 1947 - December 15, 1989) also known by the nickname El Mexicano, was a Colombian Drug lord who [16]

Los Pepes

Main article: Los Pepes

In later years as Pablo Escobars' narco-terror war escalated against the Colombian government, the government began to strike back in ever escalating battles. Los Pepes (from Spanish: Pe rseguidos por P ablo Es cobar "people persecuted by Pablo Escobar") was a short-lived Vigilante As the Medellín cartel weakened due to the fighting and constant pressure, the Cali cartel grew in strength, eventually founding Los Pepes or Perseguidos por Pablo Escobar (English: People Persecuted by Pablo Escobar). Los Pepes (from Spanish: Pe rseguidos por P ablo Es cobar "people persecuted by Pablo Escobar") was a short-lived Vigilante English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States Los Pepes was specifically formed to target the Medellín cartel and bring about the downfall of Pablo Escobar. It is believed Los Pepes provided information to Bloque de Busqueda (English: Search Bloc) a police/army unit specifically created to track down Medellín leaders. The Search Bloc consisted of a group of Colombian Police officers who were assembled with the sole objective of the Apprehension of drug dealer Pablo English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States In exchange for information Los Pepes received assistance from the United States counter-terrorism unit, Delta Force, through its links to Search Bloc. Counter-terrorism or counterterrorism refers to the practices tactics, techniques and strategies that Governments militaries, Police departments For the computer game see Delta Force (video game. For the movie see The Delta Force (film. By the time of Escobars' capture and eventual death in December 1993, Los Pepes has been responsible for the deaths or executions of over 60 associates or members of the Medellín cartel. The death of Pablo Escobar lead to the dismantling of the Medellín Cartel and the rise of the Cali cartel. [16][19]

Law enforcement

Seizures

While the Cali Cartel operated with a degree of immunity early on, due to its ties to the government, and the Medellín Cartel's narco-terrorism war on the Colombian government, they were still subjected to drug seizures. In 1991 alone, law enforcement agencies seized 67 tons of cocaine, 75% originating from the Cali Cartel. In total, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) alone has spent 91,855 case hours and 13 years in investigations against the Cali Cartel, seizing 50 tons of cocaine and $15 million in assets. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE) is the largest and primary investigative arm of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS responsible [20]

The involvement of ICE in the Cali Cartels trafficking came in 1991 when a shipment was intercepted with the aide of a drug sniffing dog. A detection dog is a Dog that is trained to and works at using its Senses (almost always the sense of smell) to detect substances such as Explosives The cocaine was hidden inside concrete posts. The interception of the concrete posts at the Miami seaport lead to seizure of 12,000 kilograms of cocaine and several arrests, as well as the beginning of what the ICE would dub "Operation Cornerstone". A year later in another seizure, an ICE wiretap on Harold Ackerman, who's affiliation was derived from the '91 seizure, enabled the arrest of 7 individuals and 6,000 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a load of broccoli. Wiretap redirects here For the radio program see WireTap (radio program Telephone tapping (or wire tapping / wiretapping in [5] Accounting ledgers were seized in related arrests which allowed the identification of another shipment being sent to Panama hidden in tiles, this information was passed to Panamanian authorities and lead to the seizure of 5,100 kilograms. A ledger or lieger (from the English dialect forms liggen or leggen, to lie or lay in sense adapted from the Dutch substantive [20]

The following year in 1993, ICE struck again at the Cali cartel, this time seizing 5,600 kilograms while pursuing Raul Marti, the only member of the defunct Miami cell to remain. It is believed these successive raids forced the cartel to funnel its shipments through Mexico, however that did not stop the ICE. Three maritime ships were intercepted in '93 with a total of 17,000 kilograms. Operation Cornerstone lasted 14 years targeting the Cali cartels drug trafficking operations. [20]

Major arrests

Miguel Rodriguez-Orejuela being escorted by DEA and ICE agents.
Miguel Rodriguez-Orejuela being escorted by DEA and ICE agents.

Between June and July of 1995, six of the seven heads of the cartel were arrested. [9] Gilberto was arrested in his home, Henry Loaiza, Victor Patino and Phanor Arizabaleta surrendered to authorities, Jose Santa Cruz Londoño was captured in a restaurant and a month later Miguel Rodriguez was captured in a raid. It was largely believed the cartel continued to operate and run trafficking operations from within prison. [13][14][12]

The Rodríguez brothers would eventually be extradited to the United States, in 2006, and plead guilty in Miami, Florida to charges of conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States. Upon their confession they agreed to forfeit $2. 1 billion in assets. The agreement however did not require them to cooperate in other investigations, they were solely responsible for identification of assets stemming from their cocaine trafficking. Colombian officials raided and seized the pharmacy chain Drogas la Rebajas, replacing 50 of the 4200 workers on grounds they were "serving the interests of the Cali Cartel. "[13][21]

See also

References

  1. ^ DEA - Publications - Major Traffickers and Their Organizations. The Medellín Cartel was an organized network of drug smugglers ( Drug cartel) originating in the city of Medellín in Colombia and operating Illegal drug trade in Colombia (Narcotráfico en Colombia refers to the practice of producing and distributing Illegal drugs with psychoactive effects in the The Norte del Valle Cartel, or North Valley Cartel, is a Drug cartel which operates principally in the north of the Valle del Cauca department Cocaine Cowboys is a Documentary film directed by Billy Corben and produced by Alfred Spellman and Billy Corben through their Miami-based media studio rakontur DEA (republished).
  2. ^ a b c d e Enid Mumford (1999). Dangerous Decisions: Problem Solving in Tomorrow's World. Springer, 81, 83, 84, 85.  
  3. ^ a b c d e f Felia Allum & Renate Siebert (2003). Organized Crime and the Challenge to Democracy. Routledge, 98, 99, 100, 103.  
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Elaine Shannon Washington. "New Kings of Coke", Times Magazine, July 01, 1991.  
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i Ron Chepesiuk (2003). The Bullet Or the Bribe: Taking Down Colombia's Cali Drug Cartel. Praeger Publishers, 23-26, 32, 64, 68, 118.  
  6. ^ a b c d Richard Peter Treadwell Davenport-Hines (2004). The Pursuit of Oblivion: a Global History of Narcotics. W. W. Norton & Company, 435.  
  7. ^ Nicholas Coghlan (2004). Saddest Country: On Assignment in Colombia. McGill-Queen's University Press, 132.  
  8. ^ James P. Gray (2001). Why Our Drug Laws Have Failed and What We Can Do About It: A Judicial Indictment of the War on Drugs. Temple University Press, 85.  
  9. ^ a b c Krzysztof Dydynski (2003). Lonely Planet: Colombia. Lonely Planet Publications, 18.  
  10. ^ Juan E. Méndez (1992). Political Murder and Reform in Colombia: The Violence Continues. Americas Watch Committee (U. S. ), 76, 82, 83.  
  11. ^ a b c d John Moody, Pablo Rodriguez Orejuela & Tom Quinn. "A Day with the Chess Player", Time Magazine, July 1, 1991.  
  12. ^ a b Kevin Fedarko. "Outwitting Cali's Professor Moriarty", Time Magazine, July 17, 1995.  
  13. ^ a b c "Colombia takes charge of pharmacy chain linked to Cali cartel", USA Today, September 17, 2004.  
  14. ^ a b c Patrick L. Clawson & Rensselaer W. Lee (1998). The Andean Cocaine Industry. Palgrave Macmillan, 58-61.  
  15. ^ Manuel Castells (2000). End of Millennium. Blackwell Publishing, 204.  
  16. ^ a b c d e Kevin Jack Riley (1996). Snow Job?: The War Against International Cocaine Trafficking. Transaction Publishers, 170, 178, 181.  
  17. ^ Dominic Streatfeild (2002). Cocaine: An Unauthorized Biography. Thomas Dunne Books, 360.  
  18. ^ a b Elizabeth Gleick. "Kingpin Checkmate", Time Magazine, June 19, 1995.  
  19. ^ William Avilés (2006). Global Capitalism, Democracy, and Civil-Military Relations in Colombia. SUNY Press, 115.  
  20. ^ a b c "History of the ICE Investigation into Colombia's Cali Drug Cartel and the Rodriguez-Orejuela Brothers", United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  
  21. ^ "Transcript of Press Conference Announcing Guilty Pleas by Cali Cartel", United States Department of Justice, September 26, 2006.  
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