This is the moment a most wanted Colombian fugitive was arrested by the Policia Nacional in Spain.
The suspect, who used the alias Pirry, is wanted in his home country for various crimes including contract killing, murder and drug and weapons trafficking.
In a press release, Spanish police said he is one of the leaders of the ‘El Mesa’ crime gang and a former member of a militia called the Centauros Bloc of the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC).
Colombian authorities considered him a priority target and had included him among their most wanted fugitives, offering a reward of 250,000,000 Colombian pesos (€68,000) for his capture.
The fugitive had a criminal record spanning more than 22 years and was allegedly involved in international drug trafficking destined for Europe, especially France, Italy, and Spain.
He was eventually arrested in Salou, a holiday resort popular among Brits and northern Europeans in Tarragona, Catalonia.
According to information provided by Colombian authorities, he belonged to the Centauros Bloc of the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) and later rose to a leadership position within the ‘El Mesa’ criminal gang, which operated primarily in the Antioquia region of Colombia.
Colombian authorities claim he trafficked drugs across Europe by working with Albanian gangs and the feared ‘Ndrangheta mafia in Italy.
Investigated for an attack that left seven dead
Among the crimes attributed to him is a deadly attack that occurred in June 2024 in the municipality of Rionegro.
According to Colombian police, ‘Pirry’ ordered an attack against members of rival gangs, resulting in seven people being slaughtered in cold blood.
Once the international arrest warrant was confirmed, Spanish investigators established a permanent exchange of information with Colombian authorities.
The investigation determined that individuals connected to the fugitive were in Spain and had traveled to different parts of the country.
During the investigation, a man was identified whose characteristics matched those of the wanted man, although he was using a different identity, allegedly that of a Venezuelan citizen.
During the operation Salou, officers observed a person whose physical characteristics matched those of the wanted man.
When they tried to stop him, he attempted to flee in a vehicle but was intercepted and detained.
