The criminal network ‘Los Vigilantes’ which is accused of the commission of murder, extortion and drugs trafficking in Cali was dismantled

10 alleged members were prosecuted for their alleged participation in different illegal actions committed near Santa Elena marketplace

In Cali (Valle del Cauca), the Attorney General, Francisco Barbosa Delgado, in the company of his executive team, monitored the investigative strategies concerning public safety and announced an important result related to the dismantling of the so-called Los Vigilantes criminal structure in that city.

After approving the request made by the Attorney General´s Office, a judge sent 10 alleged members of that gang to prison. They are allegedly responsible for the commission of murders, extortion, arms trafficking, and drug trafficking in the sector of Santa Elena marketplace located at the so-called Comuna 10 in Cali.

According to the investigation and complaints, these people allegedly extorted merchants in this area to allow them to work and, they allegedly controlled the distribution of cocaine, marijuana and other substances in the sector.

Moreover, this illegal organization is accused of the commission of a murder that occurred on September 27, 2020, by employing ‘sicarios’ (hitmen).

‘Los Vigilantes’ were arrested in joint operations carried out by the Attorney Generals’ Office and the Gaula-National Police in the eastern part of Cali. In the proceedings, eight kilograms of cocaine, 12 cell phones, $ 5,200,000 and six USB devices were seized.

A special prosecutor assigned to the Sectional Office in Cali charged the detainees with aggravated murder, conspiracy to commit a crime, aggravated extortion; trafficking, manufacture, and possession of firearms, accessories, parts, and ammunition; and drug trafficking, manufacture, and possession of drugs.

The defendants did not plead guilty to the charges. Nine of them have criminal records for different criminal behaviors.

“I want to tell the citizens in Cali that the Attorney General´s Office is present, is producing results, is working on all the investigations and of course, I want to tell them that they are not alone,” said Attorney General Francisco Barbosa.

When we speak, results follow.

The information contained in this press release corresponds to the narration of the objective news provided by the officials in charge of carrying out the criminal investigations within the Office of the Attorney General. By the time this communication is disclosed, the legal status of the people mentioned is still pending to be resolved by the competent judicial authority, always under the presumption of innocence contemplated by Article 29 of the Political Constitution and Article 7 of Law 906 of 2004.