Colombia's Biggest Drug Trafficker Since Pablo Escobar Captured By Authorities

Colombia's most wanted drug trafficker has been captured by authorities in what has been called the 'biggest blow' to the country's illegal drugs trade this century.

Dairo Antonio Úsuga, who is known as Otoniel, was captured in his hideout near the Panama border in Antioquia province, north-western Colombia, on Saturday - a joint operation between the army, air force and police.

According to Reuters the Colombian government had offered a reward of up to 3 billion pesos ($800,000/£582,000) for information concerning his whereabouts, while the United States also put a $5 million (£3.6m) bounty on him.

In a televised video message, President Iván Duque compared Otoniel's capture to the demise of Pablo Escobar's empire.

"This is the biggest blow against drug trafficking in our country this century," he said.

"This blow is only comparable to the fall of Pablo Escobar in the 1990s."

Alamy

Duque said 50-year-old Otoniel was the 'most feared drug trafficker in the world', referring to him as 'a murderer of policemen, soldiers, social leaders, and a recruiter of minors'

He ended the statement by issuing a stark warning to other drug traffickers, adding: "To all criminals and narco traffickers: either you surrender, or we will come and get you."

While details of Otoniel's seizure are still emerging, Duque said one police officer had been killed in the operation.

Alamy

Reuters reports that Otoniel - who is accused of sending dozens of shipments of cocaine to the US, among other crimes such as recruiting minors - became the leader of the drug trafficking group the Clan del Golfo, or Gulf Clan, after stints as a left-wing guerrilla, and later as a paramilitary.

His brother had been the previous leader, but was killed in a police raid on a New Year's Eve party almost 10 years ago.

As well as drug trafficking, authorities say Clan del Golfo has been involved in illegal mining, while the government accuses the group of threatening and even killing community leaders.

Alamy

While Duque appeared hopeful that Otoniel's capture could mark the end for the group, Colombia Risk Analysis director Sergio Guzman said a new leader would surely be waiting to take over.

"It's a big deal because he's the biggest drug kingpin in Colombia," Guzman told Reuters, adding that Otoniel being caught would not change the fundamentals of drug trafficking.

"Otoniel is bound to be replaced," Guzman said.

Topics: World News, Colombia, News, Drugs

Jess Hardiman

Jess is a journalist at LADbible who graduated from Manchester University with a degree in Film Studies, English Language and Linguistics - indecisiveness at its finest, right there. She also works for FOODbible and its sister page Seitanists, which are both a safe haven for her to channel a love for homemade pasta, fennel and everything else in between. You can contact Jess at [email protected].

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