# Criminal organization activity in Barranquilla > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/criminal-organization-activity-in-barranquilla > Updated: 2026-09-02T18:02:11.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2. In late August 2026, authorities in Barranquilla conducted a high-security operation to transfer 20 suspected criminal leaders, including members of the groups ‘Los Costeños’ and ‘Los Pepes’, to various correctional facilities across Colombia. The National Penitentiary and Prison Institute (INPEC) aimed to prevent these individuals, such as Rodrigo Javier Pantoja Linero (known as ‘El Gamo’), from coordinating illegal activities from within local detention centers. By early September, the criminal organization ‘Los Pepes’ reportedly submitted a letter to the Colombian government expressing a willingness to undergo a process of “submission to justice.” Through a spokesperson, the group stated an intent to tell the truth and repair victims. Concurrently, National Police raids in Sabanagrande, Atlántico, led to the arrest of three individuals suspected of being members or collaborators of the group on drug trafficking charges. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-02: Los Pepes criminal group seeks submission to justice in Colombia The criminal group ‘Los Pepes’ has requested to submit to justice in Colombia, while police arrested three suspected members in Sabanagrande for drug trafficking. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/los-pepes-criminal-group-seeks-submission-to-justice-in-colombia ### 2026-08-26: Barranquilla authorities transfer 20 criminal leaders to other prisons Twenty suspected members of criminal groups Los Costeños and Los Pepes were transferred from Barranquilla to Bogotá and other national prisons under heavy security to disrupt their command structures. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/barranquilla-authorities-transfer-20-criminal-leaders-to-other-prisons --- Cite as: Criminal organization activity in Barranquilla. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/criminal-organization-activity-in-barranquilla