Diego Marin Buitrago, one of the most wanted Colombian stowaways, has been captured by Portuguese authorities. The 62-year-old man, nicknamed 'Papa Smurf', ran a network that illegally shipped counterfeit goods from China. The man is currently awaiting extradition trial.
One of Colombia's most famous smugglers, 62-year-old Diego Marín Buitrago, has been detained in Povoa de Varjim, Portugal, where he has been living in hiding for the past few months, reports the Portugal Today news portal. Ta.
The culprit, nicknamed “Papa Smurf,'' holds dual Spanish and Colombian citizenship. The 62-year-old was on the run from Spain, where extradition proceedings were to take place.
Portugal. Caught “Papa Smurf”. he is responsible for a huge amount of contraband
Colombian President Gustavo Patro said Mr. Buitrago is the leader of a “vast network of Chinese contraband” funneling into the United States, Asia and Europe.
In Columbia alone, he oversees about 80% of the network. Supply of counterfeit goods from China, mainly clothing and footwear.
Reference: Colombia. The new mayor is afraid to enter office. he called an exorcist
– Managed weekly access to 30 containers containing textiles, footwear, tobacco, auto parts, and other products. According to the Colombian Attorney General's Office, this amounts to 8 billion pesos (approximately 8 million zlotys) of illegal income in one year.
Investigators said Buitrago had been hiding in Portugal since the fall and was trying to legalize his stay by applying for political asylum on suspicion of being persecuted by Colombian rebels.
The group, led by “Papa Smurf” for 25 years, included dozens of corrupt government officials, as well as several military veterans and police officers.
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