Colombian authorities, in collaboration with Spanish police, announced the arrest of a notorious drug lord in Colombia. Julio Andres Murillo Figueroa, 49, played a significant role in supplying cocaine to European gangs. Notably, he had worked alongside the infamous leader of the Medellín Cartel, Pablo Escobar, during the 80s and 90s.
On March 1, authorities detained Figueroa, 49, at his luxurious villa in the Antioquia region. The fugitive, who goes by the aliases H-1 or El Zar (“The Tsar”), was apprehended based on an arrest warrant issued by Spain. The warrant accuses him of aggravated drug trafficking and involvement in a criminal organization.
Spanish police have stated that the suspect is believed to have direct responsibility for overseeing the operations of the Medellin cartel in Europe and serving as a point of contact between the cartel and criminal organizations such as the ‘Ndrangheta and Mocro Maffia.
The ‘Ndrangheta, hailing from southern Italy, is a criminal organization while the Mocro Maffia is primarily composed of Moroccan members.
The Colombian police have identified Figueroa as the primary supplier to Jonas Sture Falk, also known as the “Swedish Pablo Escobar.” They have also discovered that Figueroa has direct connections with the Gulf Clan, which is Colombia’s largest drug cartel.
Spain has established itself as a crucial gateway for cocaine entering Europe due to its strong connections with South America, the primary source of the drug.
In February, Spanish authorities confiscated a whopping eight tons of white powder that had arrived from Suriname. And just a few months later, in August 2023, they discovered another 9.5 tons of the same substance inside a container from Ecuador.
Colombia is responsible for producing approximately 60% of the world’s cocaine. In September, a report by the United Nations revealed a 24% increase in potential coca production in the country since 2021.
