Homeland Security agents, in collaboration with local authorities, recently apprehended the second-in-command of Colombian street gang Los Santanás in New Braunfels, Texas. Aderbis Pirela, 29, a fugitive on INTERPOL’s most wanted list, faces charges in Colombia linked to multiple murders, drug trafficking, and extortion. He entered the US in January under the guise of political asylum, NBC 15 reports.
An alleged Colombian drug lord got arrested this week in Texas. According to reports, Aderbis Pirela is wanted in Bogotá, Colombia, in connection to multiple murders, extortion and drug trafficking.
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) March 19, 2024
Pirela’s journey to the US involved fleeing Colombia, traversing Central America, and ultimately reaching the Mexico-US border. Once granted entry, he and his associates operated from a migrant shelter. Authorities became aware of his presence on January 27, prompting a search, Fox reports.
Former customs and border protection head Mark Morgan emphasized the case’s significance, highlighting flaws in the vetting process. He criticized the administration’s claims of thorough vetting, labeling it a “lie” and asserting that the system provides a “false sense of security.” Morgan underscored the lack of diplomatic relationships with some countries, resulting in inadequate access to criminal histories of illegal immigrants.
Aderbis Segundo #Pirela, the Second-in-Command of the Colombian Criminal Gang 'Los #Satanás', Apprehended in New Braunfels, San Antonio, #Texas, #US https://t.co/8sam2m9fRH pic.twitter.com/mv28TsVlRS
— TRACTerrorism (@TracTerrorism) March 15, 2024
“This just goes to the heart of one of the main issues,” former head of customs and border protection Mark Morgan said of Pirela’s case. “The reality is every time Secretary Mayorkas or anybody from this administration tells the American people that we properly vet everyone before we release them is just a lie.”
“They’re provided a false sense of security that doesn’t exist,” he added. “The reality is there are many countries that illegal aliens are coming into our country from that we have zero diplomatic relationships with and we’re getting nothing with respect to their criminal history.”
Local and international authorities are eager to ensure Pirela faces justice in Colombia, preventing further criminal activity.
