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From Solitude to Europe: this is how a Frenchman would operate who was accused of recruiting people to transport drugs; he was expelled from the country for links with Los Costeños
CO🏛️ PoliticsLean Conservative3 hr. ago

From Solitude to Europe: this is how a Frenchman would operate who was accused of recruiting people to transport drugs; he was expelled from the country for links with Los Costeños

A French national known by the alias 'Traore' was expelled from Colombia after being detained in the city of Soledad during Operation Blindaje 360, a police initiative targeting drug trafficking and other criminal activities in the Barranquilla metropolitan area. Authorities allege that Traore had connections to the criminal organization Los Costeños and was involved in recruiting vulnerable individuals, those facing economic hardship, to act as human couriers for transporting illegal drugs to European countries. According to police reports, Traore allegedly convinced these individuals to travel abroad carrying narcotics hidden in their luggage or attached to their bodies. He had previously been arrested in December 2022 for drug-related offenses and was captured again during this operation. The authorities have not yet specified how many people were recruited, which European countries were targeted, or Traore’s exact role within the organization.

Colombia's Council of Criminal Policy approved an anti-terrorism statute proposed by President Abelardo de la Espriella. This marks the first hurdle cleared for the legislative proposal, which faces a rigorous approval process. The minister of the interior, Rodrigo Lara, praised the council's decision, calling it "extraordinary," and stated it demonstrates the statute's solidity and guarantees. The council's endorsement came after a vote with 11 members supporting the initiative and three opposing it. The dissenting votes were cast by the Supreme Court, the Ombudsman, Iris Marín, and the Historical Pact. The proposal aims to address gaps in legal frameworks concerning national security and transnational crime. It requires qualified majorities in Congress, must be processed within one legislative term, and would undergo review by the Constitutional Court if passed. The initiative expands presidential powers by outlining mechanisms to include individuals and organizations in the National Registry of Terrorist Groups. It includes broad definitions of terrorism and collaboration with terrorist groups, allowing the National Security Council to identify entities and block their accounts, freeze assets, and revoke legal status within 24 hours. Appeals can only be made to the Council of State. The project introduces new punitive tools for the government and judiciary against registered entities and individuals, drawing inspiration from the U.S. model known as the "Clinton List." It extends the definition of terrorism to include economic motivations, beyond ideological ones. Experts have raised concerns about potential expansion of presidential power. Laura Bonilla, deputy director of the Pares Foundation, described the proposal as designed to grant "superpowers" akin to those of the U.S. president. In a separate development, President Abelardo de la Espriella led Operation Blindage 360 in Barranquilla, resulting in 72 arrests during 50 raids. The operation targeted narcotics-related structures, financial sources, homicides, extortion, thefts, and territorial disputes. The mayor of Barranquilla, Char, responded positively to the operation, stating there would be no respite for criminals. Interior Minister Rodrigo Lara commended the president, saying, "That’s how you tame the criminals. Congratulations, president." Among those arrested was a French citizen, Traore Mamoudou, accused of trafficking a kilogram of cocaine. He was identified as part of the Los Costeños criminal structure under the leadership of alias 'El Quesero.' Traore had previously been captured in December 2022 while wanted by Interpol in 195 countries. Authorities allege he recruited vulnerable individuals to transport drugs to Europe. According to reports, Traore was caught in the Soledad 2000 neighborhood in Barranquilla. During the operation, authorities seized 17 firearms, a traumatic rifle, a hand grenade, 5,208 grams of marijuana, 1,259 grams of cocaine, four ecstasy pills, 12 cell phones, 1.3 million pesos in cash, a vehicle, and a motorcycle.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 2 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

3 reports

El Tiempo logoEl TiempoIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 90yesterday
From Solitude to Europe: this is how a Frenchman would operate who was accused of recruiting people to transport drugs; he was expelled from the country for links with Los Costeños

A French national known by the alias 'Traore' was expelled from Colombia after being detained in the city of Soledad during Operation Blindaje 360, a police initiative targeting drug trafficking and other criminal activities in the Barranquilla metropolitan area. Authorities allege that Traore had connections to the criminal organization Los Costeños and was involved in recruiting vulnerable individuals, those facing economic hardship, to act as human couriers for transporting illegal drugs to European countries. According to police reports, Traore allegedly convinced these individuals to travel abroad carrying narcotics hidden in their luggage or attached to their bodies. He had previously been arrested in December 2022 for drug-related offenses and was captured again during this operation. The authorities have not yet specified how many people were recruited, which European countries were targeted, or Traore’s exact role within the organization.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information based on official sources such as the Colombian National Police and Migración Colombia. It does not exhibit overtly biased language, nor does it favor one side over another. The content focuses on law enforcement actions against drug trafficking and the legal

Why factuality (85): The article provides specific details such as the name 'Traore', his French nationality, the operation 'Blindaje 360', and his alleged links to Los Costeños. It also mentions prior detention in December 2022 and collaboration between Migración Colombia, the Police, and the Attorney General’s Office.

Why objectivity (90): The article presents the information in a largely neutral manner, using terms like 'presuntamente' (allegedly) and citing authorities without overt bias. The tone remains professional and avoids strong emotive language, maintaining a balanced perspective.

Semana logoSemanaIndependentConservativeFactual 85Objective 75yesterday
Frenchman was captured in Operation Armor 360: accused of being a dangerous narco in Soledad, Atlantic

A French citizen named Traore Mamoudou was captured during Colombia's Operation Blindaje 360, accused of trafficking a kilogram of cocaine in Soledad, Atlántico. The operation, conducted by the government of Abelardo De La Espriella, resulted in 72 arrests across 50 raids, including charges related to drug trafficking, illegal weapons possession, and homicide. Traore, previously detained in December 2022 under an Interpol red notice, is linked to the criminal group 'Los Costeños' and allegedly recruited vulnerable individuals to smuggle drugs to Europe. He had been connected to a case at Paris’s Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport involving a French airline technician caught with 16 kilograms of cocaine. His current presence in Colombia and reasons for resuming criminal activity remain unclear.

Bias read (Conservative): The article emphasizes the government's successful anti-drug operation and highlights the arrest of a foreign national involved in organized crime, aligning with narratives that reinforce state authority and security efforts. It frames the operation as a major success and focuses on the capture of a

Why factuality (85): The article provides specific details about the operation, including the number of arrests, types of crimes, and the French national’s involvement in drug trafficking. These facts align with the general consensus found in other reports. However, some details like the exact name 'Traore Mamoudou' may

Why objectivity (75): The article presents the information in a largely neutral manner but includes phrases such as 'peligroso narco' (dangerous drug trafficker) which introduces a subjective label. The tone remains mostly factual but has slight bias in describing the individual.

Semana logoSemanaIndependentCenter3 hr. ago
Frenchman arrested for drug trafficking in Soledad, Atlantic, expelled from Colombia: this is what Migration said

A French national named Traore Mamoudou was expelled from Colombia after being captured during Operation Blindaje 360 in Soledad, Atlántico. He was apprehended for drug trafficking and alleged ties to the criminal organization 'Los Costeños.' The operation resulted in 72 arrests, including 42 in flagrancy and 30 based on court orders, with charges ranging from drug trafficking to homicide. Traore had previously been detained in December 2022 while under an international arrest warrant issued by France. Authorities allege he recruited vulnerable individuals to smuggle drugs into Europe, including a case involving 16 kilograms of cocaine at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris. Traore was transported from Bogotá to Paris for expulsion.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about a drug-related arrest and expulsion without overtly favoring any political side. It includes quotes from official entities like Migración Colombia and references law enforcement actions, maintaining a balanced tone.

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