Carlos Alberto Rentería Mantilla

Carlos Alberto "Beto" Rentería Mantilla (born March 11, 1945 in Tuluá, Valle del Cauca) is a Colombian narcotrafficker and crime boss, presumed leader of the Norte del Valle Cartel.cite news|title=Carlos Rentería-Mantilla |url=http://www.state.gov/p/inl/narc/rewards/39428.htm |publisher=United States Department of State] Rentería is believed by the United States government to be holding a leadership position within the drug cartel, he has been labeled "one of Colombia's most powerful and sophisticated narcotics traffickers" by Adam Szubin, Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control, United States Department of the Treasury.cite web|title=Treasury Dept. Designation Targets Colombian Drug Cartel Leader |url=http://usinfo.state.gov/gi/Archive/2005/Mar/17-976334.html |date=2005-03-17 |publisher=U.S. Department of State] cite news|title=Treasury Acts Against Narco Leader’s Front Companies, Cohorts |url=http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/hp148.htm |date=2006-10-31 |publisher=United States Department of Treasury] cite news|title=United States Announces RICO Charges Against Leadership of Colombia’s Most Powerful Cocaine Cartel |url=http://www.dea.gov/pubs/pressrel/pr050604.html |date=2004-05-06 |publisher=United States Drug Enforcement Agency] The Attorney General of Colombia and the Colombian National Police accuse Rentería of narcotrafficking and money laundering and continues the search for his capture.

Role

As chief in the Norte del Valle Cartel, it is believed Rentería shares in the decision making of the cartel in aspects of transportation of drug shipments, bribery of political officials and assassinations. Rentería also operates his own organization under the Cartel capable of multi-ton cocaine shipments, as well as investing in other cocaine smuggling transports. The Norte del Valle cartel operates principally out of the North Valle del Cauca region. It is believed the cocaine is shipped from around the neighboring Colombian Departments as well as Peru and other South American countries before being transported again via trucks and airplanes to the Pacific Coast port of Buenaventura, Colombia. From Buenaventura the cocaine, through Renterías' operation, is primary transported to Mexico before being shipped again to the United States via go-fast boats, fishing vessels, and other maritime shipping methods.

Government actions

Law Enforcement

While it is believed Rentería has been involved in drug trafficking since the 1970s. The first indictment regarding Rentería was unsealed in 1994 in the Southern District of Florida, charging Rentería with conspiracy to import, possess and distribute cocaine in the United States. In 2004 an indictment was unsealed in the District Court for the District of Columbia, charging Rentería with violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). In addition to the indictments a reward of 5$ million was placed for information leading to the capture of Rentería.

Finances

Beginning on March 17, 2005, the United States Department of Treasury announced its first actions targeting the financial holdings of Rentería. In 2005 Rentería was first declared a Specially Designated Narcotics Trafficker, the label permits the United States to seize assets connected to Rentería through front companies and associates. Since 2005 the Department of Treasury has announced over seven actions targeting Renterías financial holdings. The companies designated range from agricultural, clinics, hotels, accounting firms and the Colombian soccer team Cortuluá.cite news|title=Treasury Targets Drug Cartel Assets in Colombia and Offshore Havens |url=http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/hp179.htm |date=2006-11-28 |publisher=United States Department of Treasury] cite news|title=Treasury Identifies International Financial Network of Colombia’s Notorious North Valle Drug Cartel |url=http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/js4318.htm |date=2006-06-13 |publisher=United States Department of Treasury] cite news|title=Treasury Names Front Companies, Sham Operatives Helping To Bankroll Narco-Trafficking in Colombia |url=http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/js3028.htm |date=2005-11-30 |publisher=United States Department of Treasury] cite news|title=Treasury Designates Two U.S. Companies Acting as Fronts for Colombia’s North Valle Drug Cartel |url=http://www.ustreas.gov/press/releases/hp300.htm |date=2007-03-07 |publisher=United States Department of Treasury] It is believed Renterías' money contributed significantly to the economic growth in the area, as business operations, hotels and clinics began to be built to launder his money through.cite news|title= es icon En Tuluá se siente presencia de ‘Beto' |url=http://www.elpais.com.co/paisonline/notas/Noviembre022006/beto.html |publisher=El Pais Online |date=November 2, 2006]

On September 1, 2006, Colombian authorities confiscated around 34 properties in the northern Caribbean region, mainly in the city of Cartagena and in other regions of Colombia; in the capital Bogotá and near his major area of operations; Valle del Cauca Department. The operation was dubbed "Patria 44" by the Colombian Central Directorate of the Judicial Police and Intelligence (DIJIN).cite news|title= es icon Fiscalía Ocupo 34 Propiedades de "Beto" Renteriaía, Miembro del Cartel del Norte del Valle |url=http://www.abcnoticiasbarranquilla.com/node/1407 |date=May 6, 2004 |publisher=ABC noticias Barranquilla] cite news|title= es icon Colombian National Police: Operación "Patria 44" |url=http://www.policia.gov.co/inicio/portal/portal.nsf/Noticias/Operaci%C3%B3n+%E2%80%9CPatria+44%E2%80%9D |date=September 13, 2004 |publisher=Colombian National Police]

ee also

*Cali Cartel
*Cocaine
*Cuba-United States relations
*Narcotrafficking in Colombia
*Norte del Valle Cartel
*Medellín Cartel

References