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Colombian police catch drugs twin | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Police in Colombia have captured a drugs kingpin the US is seeking to extradite, days after killing his twin brother in a shoot-out. | |
Miguel Angel Mejia Munera was found inside a secret compartment in the cab of a lorry by police in Tolima region, Colombia's defence minister said. | |
His brother, Victor Manuel, was shot dead on Tuesday - and initially was mistaken for Miguel. | |
The US was offering $5m (£2.5m) for information leading to their capture. | |
This is the latest blow to Colombia's drugs trade, says the BBC's Jeremy McDermott in Bogota. | |
But our correspondent adds that there has been little interruption to the export of cocaine, which US authorities now estimate to be as high as 1,000 tonnes (2.2m lb) a year. | |
For every "capo" or boss captured, another five are waiting to take his place, he says. | |
'Congratulations, you won' | |
Defence Minister Juan Manuel Santos confirmed that the suspect would be extradited to the US, and gave details of his capture. | |
The US had put a large price on the brothers' heads | |
He was found in the secret air-conditioned compartment with a pistol at his side but gave up without a fight, the minister said. | |
Police became suspicious after they noticed the driver of the goods lorry buying four bottles of the sports drink Gatorade and snacks at a lorry stop near the town of Honda. | |
Minutes later at a police checkpoint, Mr Santos said, officers noticed the drinks and snacks were no longer in the driver's cabin. | |
"This raised suspicions," the minister noted. | |
Police became more curious when the driver asked to keep the engine running - a bid to keep oxygen flowing to Mr Mejia in his compartment behind the driver's seat, which was equipped with a bed and refrigerator. | |
"Congratulations, you won," the suspect reportedly told police after his detention. | |
'Head of the snake' | |
Earlier, Colombian media quoted police sources as saying at least two of Miguel's deputies had been captured along with him. | |
The site of the capture is close to the rural area in Antioquia province where his brother was killed, reports say. | |
Police had initially mistaken Victor's body for his brother's, after discovering identity papers pertaining to Miguel. | Police had initially mistaken Victor's body for his brother's, after discovering identity papers pertaining to Miguel. |
"How good that the head of this snake has been cut off," Interior Minister Carlos Holguin reportedly told RCN radio. | "How good that the head of this snake has been cut off," Interior Minister Carlos Holguin reportedly told RCN radio. |
The brothers ran one of the most powerful drugs cartels in the country and were also linked to Colombia's right-wing paramilitary groups. | The brothers ran one of the most powerful drugs cartels in the country and were also linked to Colombia's right-wing paramilitary groups. |
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