Police Arrest One of Colombia's Biggest Drug Dealers in Roraima

10/24/2014 - 09h11

The Brazilian Federal Police arrested one of Colombia's biggest drug dealers on Wednesday, October 22nd, on Brazilian territory.

Marcos Jesús Figueroa García, known as "Marquitos Figueroa", 47, was arrested in Boa Vista, the capital of the state of Roraima in a joint operation with the Colombian police.

The announcement of his arrest was made in Colombia by the country's president, Juan Manuel Santos.

Figueroa is accused of heading a gang that is suspected of having murdered more than 250 people and for being linked to Farc rebels (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) as well as a Mexican gang called Los Zetas.

He was wanted in Colombia, which offered a reward of approximately US$ 250 thousand to whoever helped locating him. Thus, Figueroa sought refuge in Brazil.

Around six months ago he settled in a house in Boa Vista, the capital of Roraima, where he spent most of his time in hiding.

Two undercover Colombian police officers managed to infiltrate Figueroa's gang and obtain information that he was going to take refuge in Brazilian territory, close to the border with Venezuela and Colombia - the region where he worked.

For the time being, no connection between Figueroa and Brazilian drug dealers has been identified.

	Polícia Federal
	Marcos Jesús Figueroa García (R) was arrested in Boa Vista, Roraima, in a joint operation with the Colombian police

Translated by CRISTIANE COSTA LIMA

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