Henry Loaiza-Ceballos

Henry Loaiza Ceballos aka El Alacrán (The Scorpion) is a former Colombian drug dealer part of the Cali Cartel. Loaiza was in charge mainly of the military apparatus of the organization, but was also involved in the shipment of drugs. He surrendered to Colombian authorities on June 19, 1995.[1]

Henry Loaiza-Ceballos

Shipment of cocaine bricks confiscated by the DEA. The logo is presumably a symbol of Loaiza-Ceballos.

Cali Cartel
Leadership
Gilberto Rodríguez Orejuela captured Miguel Rodríguez Orejuela captured José Santacruz Londoño killed Hélmer Herrera Buitrago killed
Associates
Henry Loaiza Ceballos captured Juan Carlos Ortiz Escobar killed Jorge Salcedo Cabrera informant Mery Valencia de Ortiz released Phanor Arizabaleta Arzayus captured Victor Patiño Fomeque released

On August 4, 2006 a higher tribunal of Ibagué attempted to free Loaiza after serving 11 of the 18 years sentence to prison for the conformation of illegal paramilitary groups in Valle del Cauca and Tolima Departments. The National Penitentiary and Prison Institute, (INPEC) asked the Attorney General's office and the DAS Security Service if Loaiza had any other judicial processes against him.[2]

A local attorney pertaining to the Life and Personal Integrity Unit in Ibagué ordered a warrant once again against Loaiza for homicide, production, traffic and possession of illegal weapons and munition. He was accused of participating in the murder of former Colombian Army captain Ignasio Luis Arteaga on April 28, 2004 in Ibagué. Captain Arteaga was Security Chief of a local company called Cooperative SERVIARROZ. Loaiza is currently serving his sentence in a prison in central Colombia located in the town of Cómbita, Boyacá.[3]

On December 19, 2006 Loaiza was again accused by Colombian authorities of being responsible for the homicide of more than 100 persons, after allegedly co-authoring the Massacre of Trujillo in the southern town of Trujillo, Valle del Cauca Department in order to benefit the Cali cartel and his shipments of drugs. Most of the bodies were thrown into the waters of the Cauca River.[4][5]

After spending 22 years in prison, Loaiza was released on January 2017.[5]Loaiza moved to the town of Puerto Asís, where he declared himself a born-again Christian and attempted to create a church, and build a Christian radio station.[6] This low profile, however, was accompanied by frequent visits by unknown individuals in luxurious motorcycles and cars, which called the attention of police officers. According to the authorities, immediately after being released he began attempting to regain control of his illicit affairs along with a dangerous criminal network known as ‘la Constru,’ involved in illicit drug traffic in the department of Putumayo, and infamous for their use of blackmail, torture, murders, and dismemberments.[5][7][8]Loaiza was arrested in the town of Puerto Asís along with 14 members of the organization on June 26, 2019.[9][6][7][8]