A significant blow against extortion in Barranquilla and Soledad: thirteen individuals were arrested, and two minors were apprehended, all linked to the criminal organizations known as "Pepes" and "Costeños."

News: In total, the detainees have 14 prior criminal records for various offenses. A grenade was seized during the operations. The seizure of the grenade represents the violent escalation message that these organizations use as a means of pressure. Photo: National Police. 05/12/2026 11:15 Updated: 05/12/2026 11:15 The arrest of 13 individuals and the apprehension of two minors during a Gaula operation by the Barranquilla Metropolitan Police have once again highlighted the complex dynamics of extortion, armed retaliation, and territorial control exercised by organized criminal groups "Los Pepes" and "Los Costeños" in Barranquilla and its metropolitan area. READ ALSO: The operations, carried out simultaneously in both municipalities, followed months of investigation that identified alleged members and collaborators of these structures, accused of carrying out extortion schemes involving a progressive intimidation system, ranging from written threats to armed attacks against businesses that refuse to pay. According to authorities, those arrested will face charges of conspiracy to commit aggravated extortion, manufacturing, trafficking, and possession of weapons restricted to the Armed Forces or explosives, in addition to possession of narcotics. Images of those arrested during the operation. Photo: National Police. During the operations, a grenade was seized, an element that, beyond its destructive power, represents the message of violent escalation that these organizations use as a means of pressure. Extortion as a system and the use of symbolic terror. Investigations reveal that those involved allegedly operated under a logic already known to merchants and transporters in Atlántico: extortion leaflets delivered directly or left in businesses, intimidating messages sent via mobile applications, and video calls in which weapons are displayed, accompanied by threats against the lives of victims and their families. Images of those arrested during the operation. Photo: National Police. When these warnings are ineffective, the scheme escalates to shootings at facades, attacks that do not always aim to cause fatal victims, but rather to leave a visible mark of non-compliance and warn the surrounding business environment. Among those arrested is an individual known as "El Gordo," who, according to the police, is directly linked to illegal financial demands against public transportation companies in Soledad, a sector particularly affected by extortion due to its high territorial exposure and the difficulty of suspending operations without immediate economic losses. In total, the detainees have 14 prior criminal records for various offenses, a common characteristic of these structures that thrive on recidivism. Minors are apprehended. Photo: National Police. The police reiterated the call to report through line 165 of the Gaula, 123, or the number 317 896 5523, in a context where breaking the silence remains, for many victims, the riskiest act. You might also be interested in: #ElTiempo #NoticiasColombia #ÚltimaHora Photo: EL TIEMPO Follow all the information from Colombia on Facebook and Twitter, or in our weekly newsletter. NEWSLETTERS EL TIEMPO Register for our newsletters and receive news in your email according to your interests. Stay informed with what really matters to you. EL TIEMPO GOOGLE NEWS Follow us on GOOGLE NEWS. Stay always updated with the latest news, coverage, stories, and analysis directly on Google News. EL TIEMPO WHATSAPP Join the El Tiempo channel on WhatsApp to stay up to date with the most relevant news at the moment. EL TIEMPO APP Stay informed with the EL TIEMPO app. Receive the latest news, coverage, stories, and analysis directly on your device. SUBSCRIBE TO THE DIGITAL Reliable information for you. Subscribe to EL TIEMPO and access our journalistic content without limits.