Alleged No. 3 Figure in Cali Cartel Seized
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BOGOTA, Colombia — Police arrested another alleged leader of the Cali drug cartel Tuesday night while he ate dinner in a Bogota restaurant, a police spokesman said.
Jose Santacruz Londono, known as Chepe, is believed to be the No. 3 figure in the cartel that supplies 80% of the world’s cocaine. The U.S. government says he is responsible for consolidating the gang’s distribution network in New York.
Two leaders of the cartel surrendered to authorities last month. On June 9, police arrested Gilberto Rodriguez Orejuela, considered the strategic planner of the cartel.
On Tuesday, Santacruz was spotted by a bodyguard for Gen. Jose Serrano, national police chief, who by coincidence had gone to eat in the same restaurant, said police spokesman Victor Pinzon.
Police, who had offered $625,000 for Santacruz’s arrest, said a fingerprint check confirmed that they had caught him.
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