Norte del Valle Cartel [Bustamante Organization]

"Rasguno" Luis Hernando Gomez Bustamante (1990s-2004)

Leader of a Norte del Valle cell which move masive amounts of cocaine into the southern district of the United States. New York was the prime area of distribution for Bustamante according to a 2003 federal indictment. Bustamante was seized by Cuban authorities on July 2, 2004 and held on a charge of carrying a false Mexican passport. Bustamante finds himself in an uncomfortable position as high ranking Norte del Valle leaders such as Don Diego and Wilbur Varela have questioned Bustamante's loyalty to the organization. It was long feared that Rasguno would seek a deal inorder to secure a lenient sentence should he find himself extradited to the U.S.   Those fears were apparently well founded as his admission to supplying 60% of the found in the U.S., as the leader of a faction aligned with the Norte del Valle Cartel. The total value of the 1.1 million pounds of cocaine supplied by Rasguno to the U.S., market has been valued in excess of $10 billion between 1990 and 2004. In his absence control of the cell went to Jose Aldemar Rendon Ramirez.

"Flechas" Jhon Eidelber Cano Correa (2004-2006)

Following Rasguno's Cuban arrest, an expected battle between Johnny White and Orlando Zuluaga never played out owing primarily to the work of law enforcement officials who touted their influence thereby targeting them before either had a chance to secure a firm grip over cartel operations. Due to the intense pressure brought on by the efforts of the DEA and their Columbian counterpart, Correa was forced isolate himself on a ranch in northwest Colombia. It was at this location where 30 members of the Colombian National Police special "Jungla" unit captured the notoriously violent trafficker after an intense shootout which left one officer wounded.

"Patemuro" Carlos Arturo Patino Restrepo (2006-2007)

Millionaire business owner and accused head of the cartel operation established by Rasguno, Patemuro rose rapidly through the ranks due to his extensive network of allies and business acumen. Restrepo's vast business interest included farms, shops, houses, apartments all said to have been used to launder the vast amounts of money produced by the cartel operation. Like his predecessors, Patino Restrepo was targeted and quickly pulled in by authorities who caught wind of his network of laboratories in Viterbo, Caldas which were used to process coca paste before shipments were sent onto various parts of Columbia by way of Buenaventura. Ultimately Restrepo's product found it's way to the United States, Central America and Europe.

"Mechas" Jose Aldemar Rendon Ramirez (1990s-2005)

Prior to the July 2004 capture of Rasguno, Rendon Ramirez specialized in washing Norte del Valle funds as they returned from New York to Cuba. On the order of Gomez Bustamante, Rendon Ramirez assumed greater responsibility within the organization but this arrangement didn't last long as Columbian authorities moved in and seized him on drug related and money laundering charges he faces in the U.S. In his absence several trusted Bustamante cell lieutenants have moved into position filling the gap left in leadership.

Orlando "El Mono Savogal" Sabogal Zuluaga (1998-2006)

Zuluaga faces drug and money laundering charges in New York as the result of a 2003 federal indictment. While viewed as a trusted lieutenant, Zuluaga's role is that of the good soldier. He was not believed to be have been among the key decision makers prior to the detention of Rasguno at which time he was identified along with Cano-Corea as the two most likely candidates to seize control of the top slot. Zualaga's ambitions were thwarted when authorities caught up with him on October 2006 in Spain.

Jaime Maya-Duran (1990s-2006)

Youthful figure aligned with the Bustamante organization. Duran is one of the most sought after figures associated with the New York indictment of 2003. Duran exherts tremendous influence in cartel operations. Duran was the factions transportation specialist arranging multi-ton shipments of cocaine to the U.S., and Europe. Duran was captured in September 2006.

"Johnny White" Jhon Eidelber Cano Correa (1998-2004)

The enforcer for the Bustamante organization. Correa struck fear in the hearts of Norte del Valle members and enemies often employing extreme levels of violence and brutality. Considered a wild man, Correa lived up to his reputation when a team of 30 commandos decended upon his villa on October 30, 2005 to arrest him. Correa opened fire on the commando's helicopter in an attempt to escape. Correa was considered a prime target of U.S., officials who sought his capture.

Dagoberto "Chuma"Florez-Rios (1998-2004)

The only member of the Bustamante cell related by marriage to the Henao Montoyas, Florez Rios handled considerable amounts of cash in relation to the Grajales money laundering operation. He was among the most trusted Henao Montoya lieutenants operating both in New York and Columbia. Rios-Flores was captured on December 28, 2004 near Medellin, Colombia.