Cops Find Cartels Illegal Mine Under Kitchen Hob

This is the moment cops find an illegal mine hidden under a kitchen hob as dozens of men climb out from inside with some of them saying they had been underground for a month.

The mine which reached 700 metres (2,296 feet) of depth was found under a kitchen in a house in the town of Buritica in the Antioquia Department in north-western Colombia.

In the video, officers can be seen lifting up a kitchen hob which acted as the hidden entrance to the illegal mine which was reportedly used to excavate mineral deposits.

Credit: Newsflash/@Policiantioquia

The mine shaft is then exposed and miners can be seen climbing out of it, with the police asking some them how long they had been underground for.

Some reply, “two days” whilst others say “a month, since the start of (coronavirus) quarantine.”

The police said that the mine had been created by the Clan del Golfo (Gulf Clan) drug cartel six months ago and they had caught 38 people illegally mining at the site.

Credit: Newsflash/@Policiantioquia
Illegal mine found in Colombia, 38 people were found there breaking quarantine

In total 11 granulators, two shafts, one flow generator, and four motor pumps were destroyed by the authorities in the operation.

The site reportedly had sleeping areas, a kitchen and food for those working there.

Local media report that 38 people were arrested for illegal mining and for breaking Colombia’s coronavirus lockdown.

It is unclear if they have been charged.

Credit: Newsflash/@Policiantioquia
Illegal mine found in Colombia, 38 people were found there breaking quarantine

The operation was carried out by agents from the National Unit Against Illegal Mining, the Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Interpol and the police.

The Gulf Clan is considered one of the most powerful criminal organisations in Colombia with around 3,000 members in its inner circle.


To find out more about the author, editor or agency that supplied this story – please click below.
Story By: Alex CopeSub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Newsflash

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