They capture the “invisible narco” in Medellín in a joint operation between Colombia and Spain

Bogotá.- The Colombian Police and the Spanish Civil Guard arrested in Medellín Jhon Henry González Herrera, alias Medio Labio, identified as one of the main financial operators of the Clan del Golfo, the largest criminal gang in the South American country, and considered an “invisible narco”, authorities in Colombia and Spain reported this Friday. The delegate prosecutor for Criminal Finances, Aura Liliana Trujillo, assured in a press conference that González Herrera was identified as “the biggest money launderer and drug trafficker” in the gang.

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Trujillo said that González Herrera was one of those in charge of laundering money for the criminal organization through investment in large real estate, the creation of companies, and the use of virtual assets. “González would have abandoned the formal financial system in 2021. Since then, he resorted to the ‘hawala’ method, a currency exchange mechanism that consists of the handling of codes or tokens through encrypted networks to pay for shipments,” indicated the Colombian Prosecutor’s Office. For its part, the Spanish Civil Guard stated in a statement that the detainee is considered one of the leading exponents of international drug trafficking operating from apparently legal business organizations, avoiding direct exposure and delegating to intermediaries and front men to prevent their identification, which is why they are called ‘invisible narcos’. The capture of González took place in Medellín within the framework of the international operation ‘Gulupa II’, which in October 2025 managed to partially dismantle a criminal network responsible for introducing more than 120 tons of cocaine annually into Europe through ports in Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The investigation, initiated in 2022 by the Central Operative Unit (UCO) of the Spanish Civil Guard, allowed the identification of several high-value targets in charge of coordinating the systematic shipment of cargo to Europe. With this arrest, the authorities consider the “logistical and financial branch” of that gang linked to the Gulf Clan “dismantled”. According to the authorities of Colombia and Spain, the detainee is accused of the seizure of more than 16 tons of cocaine in different countries and the movement of nearly 40 million euros (about 47.1 million dollars) in less than six months. The detainee apparently performed financial management, money laundering, and international coordination functions for groups linked to the Clan del Golfo, in addition to consolidating storage facilities in Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic, where shipments of up to 20 tons of cocaine were stored. According to the investigation, the detainee maintained links with European mafias, Mexican cartels, and networks associated with the so-called Cartel de los Soles in Venezuela, articulating the Colombia–Venezuela–Europe and Africa route. Prosecutor Trujillo added that the investigation continues and that progress is being made in identifying other people linked to the criminal network. “We are in development to be able to identify those other people who are involved,” she indicated. Alias Medio Labio was presented before the competent authorities and must answer for the crimes of money laundering for trafficking purposes, manufacturing or carrying of narcotics; illicit enrichment of individuals; bribery for giving or offering, and conspiracy to commit a crime.