Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BOGOTA1596
2008-04-30 20:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bogota
Cable title:
KEY NARCO-TRAFFICKER 'MELLIZO' KILLED IN POLICE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHBO #1596 1212017 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 302017Z APR 08 FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2559 INFO RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 8174 RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS PRIORITY 0358 RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ APR 9411 RUEHZP/AMEMBASSY PANAMA PRIORITY 1623 RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO PRIORITY 6824 RUEHGL/AMCONSUL GUAYAQUIL PRIORITY 4422
C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 001596
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR WHA/AND
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/30/2018
TAGS: SNAR PTER CO
SUBJECT: KEY NARCO-TRAFFICKER 'MELLIZO' KILLED IN POLICE
OPERATION
Classified By: Political Counselor John S. Creamer
Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 001596
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR WHA/AND
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/30/2018
TAGS: SNAR PTER CO
SUBJECT: KEY NARCO-TRAFFICKER 'MELLIZO' KILLED IN POLICE
OPERATION
Classified By: Political Counselor John S. Creamer
Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (U) Minister of Defense Juan Manuel Santos announced
April 29 that Victor Manuel Mejia Munera (Sebastian),co-head
of the Los Nevados drug cartel and a former United
Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) member, was killed in
Antioquia during an operation by Colombia's judicial police
(DIJIN). Santos said Mejia was Colombia's most wanted
criminal, since the capture of major narcotrafficking kingpin
Diego Leon Montoya Sanchez (Don Diego) in September 2007.
Mejia allegedly purchased his membership in the AUC to
benefit from the Justice and Peace Law (JPL); in August, 2006
the GOC announced he was no longer part of the JPL process
and was considered a fugitive after he failed to report to
the La Ceja detention facility.
2. (U) Victor Manuel and his twin brother Miguel Angel,
known together as "Los Mellizos" (The Twins),led the Los
Nevados cartel, a criminal group that has recruited
demobilized paramilitaries and operates largely in
Northeastern Colombia (Sierra Nevada de Santa Maria, Southern
Bolivar, Central Magdalena, and Cordoba). Miguel Angel
remains at large.
3. (U) Bogota daily El Tiempo reported Mejia did not use
telephones for fear of wire-tapping, and instead issued
orders via tape and video recordings. Police Director
General Oscar Naranjo said an informant identified Mejia in a
public location. The operation was a result of a month-long
stake-out resulting from the informant's tip-off. Santos
said the informant would receive a $5 million reward from the
USG.
4. (C) The USG requested the extradition of Victor Manuel
Mejia in 2002 and of Miguel Angel Mejia in 2000.
BROWNFIELD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR WHA/AND
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/30/2018
TAGS: SNAR PTER CO
SUBJECT: KEY NARCO-TRAFFICKER 'MELLIZO' KILLED IN POLICE
OPERATION
Classified By: Political Counselor John S. Creamer
Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (U) Minister of Defense Juan Manuel Santos announced
April 29 that Victor Manuel Mejia Munera (Sebastian),co-head
of the Los Nevados drug cartel and a former United
Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) member, was killed in
Antioquia during an operation by Colombia's judicial police
(DIJIN). Santos said Mejia was Colombia's most wanted
criminal, since the capture of major narcotrafficking kingpin
Diego Leon Montoya Sanchez (Don Diego) in September 2007.
Mejia allegedly purchased his membership in the AUC to
benefit from the Justice and Peace Law (JPL); in August, 2006
the GOC announced he was no longer part of the JPL process
and was considered a fugitive after he failed to report to
the La Ceja detention facility.
2. (U) Victor Manuel and his twin brother Miguel Angel,
known together as "Los Mellizos" (The Twins),led the Los
Nevados cartel, a criminal group that has recruited
demobilized paramilitaries and operates largely in
Northeastern Colombia (Sierra Nevada de Santa Maria, Southern
Bolivar, Central Magdalena, and Cordoba). Miguel Angel
remains at large.
3. (U) Bogota daily El Tiempo reported Mejia did not use
telephones for fear of wire-tapping, and instead issued
orders via tape and video recordings. Police Director
General Oscar Naranjo said an informant identified Mejia in a
public location. The operation was a result of a month-long
stake-out resulting from the informant's tip-off. Santos
said the informant would receive a $5 million reward from the
USG.
4. (C) The USG requested the extradition of Victor Manuel
Mejia in 2002 and of Miguel Angel Mejia in 2000.
BROWNFIELD