Notorious Colombian drug trafficker Hermogaras Gonzalez arrested in Venezuela (Updated II)

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Notorious Colombian drug trafficker Hermogaras Gonzalez arrested in Venezuela

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Caracas, Venezuela, 9 March 2008. Colombian drug trafficker Hermorgaras Gonzales Polanco - nicknamed El Gordito- was arrested on Saturday in Caja Seca, Western Venezuela. He was arrested in his farm with Venezuelan official credentials and arms permits. According to El Tiempo, Venezuelan police found 117 kgs of cocaine in his farm too. His lawyer has stated his detention is illegal because he was not arrested while committing a crime. His nationality is also in dispute. Some have stated he is Venezuelan and not Colombian.

Gonzalez Polanco ran his own drug cartel in the Goajira area - Colombia and Venezuela - which exported cocaine to US, Europe and the Caribbean. His criminal organization was related to Colombian paramilitaries Autodefensas de Campesinos de la Goajira (AUC). This paramilitary organization is listed in the US as a terrorist group. . He also dealt with arm trade. US government had offered US$5 millions for information on his whereabouts. Interpol has included Gonzales in its most wanted list with a red flag. According to El Colombiano, Gonzalez Polanco has three cases peding in the US and is related to another notorious drugtrafficker and former MP Santander Lopesierra -nicknamed El Hombre Malboro (Malboro man) - was was given a 25 year term in prison in the US.

On Monday 10 March 2008 and during a press conference, Venezuelan Home Office Minister Ramón Rodriguez Chacín, said investigations on criminal activities made by Gonzalez Polanco in the country are under way. The outcome of such investigation could lead to his trial in Venezuela instead of Colombia or US.   

Sources: Globovision, El Universal, Unionradio, Caracol, RCN, Hoy.ec, PRinside, YVKE, El Nacional, BBC, El Tiempo.co, El Colombiano,