Colombian crime boss turns himself in – along with 283 members of his militia

Guardian
December 24, 2011

The leader of a Colombian crime ring has turned himself in to authorities along with more than 280 members of his armed group.

Jose Lopez Montero, alias “Caracho”, surrendered on Friday. A total of 283 other members of his group also turned themselves in on Thursday and Friday, prosecutor Nestor Armando Novoa said.

They belong to a group called the Popular Anticommunist Revolutionary Army. Despite its name, the group does not have a clear political stance as the country’s rightwing militias have in the past. Its members are accused of drug trafficking and killings.

The reasons for their mass surrender are unclear.

Lopez had told Colombian media recently that he is “tired of the war.” He faces charges including conspiracy, and could face additional charges as the head of the group, Novoa said.

Read full article here

This article was posted: Saturday, December 24, 2011 at 8:53 am

---

---

---

---