Hélmer Herrera
Colombian drug trafficker (1951-1998)
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Key Takeaways
- Francisco Hélmer Herrera Buitrago , (August 24, 1951 – November 6, 1998), better known as "Pacho" , was a Colombian drug trafficker who was one of the four leaders of the Cali Cartel.
- Early years Herrera grew up in the Colombian town of Palmira, in the Valle del Cauca Department.
- Living in the United States, he also became a jeweler and precious metals broker until he began selling cocaine in New York City.
- Cali Cartel In 1983, Herrera went to Cali, Colombia, to negotiate supply and distribution rights with the Cali Cartel for New York City.
- Herrera also ran one of the "most sophisticated and profitable money laundering operations", according to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.
Francisco Hélmer Herrera Buitrago, (August 24, 1951 – November 6, 1998), better known as "Pacho", was a Colombian drug trafficker who was one of the four leaders of the Cali Cartel. He was principally in charge of the organization’s cocaine distribution network in New York City until his surrender in 1996.
Early years
Herrera grew up in the Colombian town of Palmira, in the Valle del Cauca Department. While in high school, Herrera studied technical maintenance, an experience that got him a job later in the United States. Living in the United States, he also became a jeweler and precious metals broker until he began selling cocaine in New York City. In 1975, and 1978, Herrera was arrested on distribution charges in New York City for selling cocaine.
Cali Cartel
In 1983, Herrera went to Cali, Colombia, to negotiate supply and distribution rights with the Cali Cartel for New York City. He later opened up trafficking routes for the Cali Cartel through Mexico, with connections he had previously established.
Herrera also ran one of the "most sophisticated and profitable money laundering operations", according to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. Herrera was soon promoted to Cali Cartel kingpin and given control over Jamundí in the south of the Valle, and Palmira and Yumbo in the north and east of the Valle.
The Herrera operation, according to the DEA, involved importing cocaine base from Peru and Bolivia, which was then trafficked via his own transportation to conversion laboratories in Colombia. It is believed that Herrera hired guerrilla forces such as Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (English: Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) (FARC) and then guerrilla group 19th of April Movement (Spanish: Movimiento 19 de Abril, M-19), to guard remote lab sites.
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