A NOTORIOUS Colombian gangster wanted over the killing of seven people has been arrested in a popular Spanish seaside resort.
Jhonatan Alexander Castrillon Arango, nicknamed ‘Pirry’ was detained by the Policia Nacional in Salou.
The fugitive was a key figure in the ‘El Mesa’ Colombian gang and a €70,000 reward was offered for information as to his whereabouts.
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He was hiding out in north-east Spain under a fake Venezuelan identity.
‘Pirry’s location was discovered after various associates of his made visits to various parts of Spain.
In coordination with the Colombian authorities, the Policia Nacional confirmed that he was living in Catalunya.
A special operation was launched to catch him in Salou and he tried to flee by car before being intercepted and trying to resist arrest.
He was hauled off to a police station where his identity was confirmed despite his insistence that he was a Venezuelan national.
‘Pirry’ was transferred to the National Court in Madrid where his extradition to Colombia will be processed.
His criminal record stretches back over two decades leading to a leadership position in ‘El Masa’.
He was linked to drug trafficking as well as clashes with other criminal gangs.
Colombian authorities said he was involved in trafficking drugs to Europe- especially to France, Italy and Spain- with help from Albanian gangs and Italy’s notorious Ndrangheta mafia.
He is accused of organising an attack between rival gangs in June 2024 where seven people died and another was seriously injured.
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