An alleged leader of the Italian mafia that was arrested in Colombia, accused of overseeing cocaine shipments

The Colombian authorities said on Friday that they had seized an alleged leader Itan ‘njafian mafia In Latin America, who was accused of overseeing cocaine shipments and managing illegal trafficking roads to Europe.

The police have identified the suspect as Giuseppe Palmemem, also known as “Bibi”, an Italian who was wanted by a red notice, who called for his arrest in 196 countries.

He was arrested on the street in the capital of Colombia, Bogota, during a coordinated operation between the Colombian, Italian and British authorities, as well as Europol, the European Union Law enforcement agency, according to an official report.

Carlos Fernando Triana, head of the Colombian police, said in a letter posted on X.

“Ndrangheta”, one of the strongest criminal organizations in Italy and Conferia, has extended its influence abroad and was widely accused of importing cocaine into Europe.

Triana added that the suspect “not only led the purchase of large shipments of cocaine in Colombia, Peru and Ecuador, but also took control of the marine roads and lands used to transport drugs to European markets.”

The illegal cocaine production was 3,708 tons in 2023, an increase of about 34 % over the previous year, mainly driven by the expansion of coca leaves in Colombia, according to the United Nations.