The Trump administration is ramping up efforts to combat drug trafficking by offering a substantial reward for information leading to the capture of a prominent criminal figure. A $5 million reward has been announced for Francisco Manuel Bermúdez Cagua, known as “Churron,” a key leader within the notorious Los Choneros gang. This organization was designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the State Department last September, which underscores its significant threat to both American communities and its homeland, Ecuador.
Bermúdez Cagua faces serious charges, including conspiracy to distribute cocaine internationally and using firearms to further drug trafficking. According to the indictment filed in the Eastern District of New York, he is implicated in an extensive network that traffics drugs and firearms into the United States while engaging in extreme acts of violence. U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. emphasized the severity of the gang’s operations, stating that Los Choneros is notorious for “pumping drugs into the United States, causing harm to our communities.”
This initiative, part of the Narcotics Reward Program, aims to draw out individuals with knowledge of Bermúdez Cagua’s location. Chris Landberg, associated with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, articulated the determination to stop these “brutal criminals.” The reward represents the U.S. government’s relentless pursuit of justice against transnational criminal organizations.
Los Choneros, identified as one of Ecuador’s most violent criminal networks, orchestrate the movement of significant quantities of cocaine from South America, navigating complex trafficking routes through Central America, Mexico, and into the U.S. The indictment reveals that co-conspirators within the gang have been actively involved in directing acts of violence, reinforcing the organization’s objectives.
Bermúdez Cagua’s reputation as a high-ranking narco-terrorist was further underscored by U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration administrator Terrance Cole, who remarked on the chaos his actions contribute to in Ecuador and the flow of cocaine into the United States. The DEA’s resolve is clear; they invite the public to assist in locating this dangerous individual.
Overall, the government’s approach exhibits a multi-faceted strategy aimed at dismantling not just the operations of Los Choneros but also networks that pose a significant threat to national security. As more details emerge, it becomes evident that this case is part of a broader war against organized crime that has deep implications for safety on both sides of the border.
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