Gilberto Molina
Encyclopedia
Gilberto Molina was a major Colombian
emerald
magnate
who was intimately connected to the notorious Medellín cartel
and widely suspected of involvement in drug trafficking during the 1980s.
During January 1988, Molina was charged with allegations that he operated an airplane maintenance facility at Subachoque, near Bogotá
, where helicopters (including Panamanian registered helicopters) were serviced secretly. He also owned a private ranch called La Fortuna, which allegedly contained sophisticated warning devices and was used as a drug distribution center. Molina was at one time a close friend and working associate of José Gonzalo Rodríguez Gacha
. Before Rodríguez Gacha attained his position as one of the top leaders of the Medellin cartel, he was employed in the service of Molina as his head of security. In January 1988, Molina was arrested on a murder charge and was later implicated as the owner of a 200-hectare coca plantation in Boyacá
. However, the narcotics charges were later dropped.
During 1989, he was involved in an intense power struggle over control of Colombia’s emerald mines, which are considered some of the richest in the world. Specifically, Molina was battling a rival operation, the Coscuez mines, in the violence-ridden emerald-mining district centered about 120 km northwest of Bogotá. Molina was initially assumed to be victorious in this violent struggle, along with his business partners Juan Beetar, Morita and Victor Carranza. However, any proclamation of victory soon proved to be premature. On Monday, February 27, 1989, a group consisting of around 25 uniformed men stormed into Molina’s luxurious ranch, located 72 km west of Bogotá, while Molina was hosting a housewarming party. The attackers took over the ranch without a fight and killed 18 men, including another emerald dealer, a retired police colonel in charge of Mr. Molina’s security, several bodyguards, friends and musicians. Colombian police officials speculated that the slaughter could have been on the orders of Rodríguez Gacha
, who had made a failed attempt to elbow Molina out of the emerald profession.
Despite the widespread suspicion of involvement in cocaine trafficking, Molina was also regarded as a public benefactor, spending nearly $500,000 on building a town hall, airport, a road and schools.
Colombian people
Colombian people are from a multiethnic Spanish speaking nation in South America called Colombia. Colombians are predominantly Roman Catholic and are a mixture of Europeans, Africans, and Amerindians.-Demography:...
emerald
Emerald
Emerald is a variety of the mineral beryl colored green by trace amounts of chromium and sometimes vanadium. Beryl has a hardness of 7.5–8 on the 10 point Mohs scale of mineral hardness...
magnate
Magnate
Magnate, from the Late Latin magnas, a great man, itself from Latin magnus 'great', designates a noble or other man in a high social position, by birth, wealth or other qualities...
who was intimately connected to the notorious Medellín cartel
Medellín Cartel
The Medellín Cartel was an organized network of "drug suppliers and smugglers" originating in the city of Medellín, Colombia. The drug cartel operated in Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, Central America, the United States, as well as Canada and Europe throughout the 1970s and 1980s. It was founded and...
and widely suspected of involvement in drug trafficking during the 1980s.
During January 1988, Molina was charged with allegations that he operated an airplane maintenance facility at Subachoque, near Bogotá
Bogotá
Bogotá, Distrito Capital , from 1991 to 2000 called Santa Fé de Bogotá, is the capital, and largest city, of Colombia. It is also designated by the national constitution as the capital of the department of Cundinamarca, even though the city of Bogotá now comprises an independent Capital district...
, where helicopters (including Panamanian registered helicopters) were serviced secretly. He also owned a private ranch called La Fortuna, which allegedly contained sophisticated warning devices and was used as a drug distribution center. Molina was at one time a close friend and working associate of José Gonzalo Rodríguez Gacha
José Gonzalo Rodríguez Gacha
José Gonzalo Rodríguez Gacha , also known by the nickname El Mexicano, was a Colombian drug lord who was one of the leaders of the notorious Medellín Cartel along with the Ochoa brothers and Pablo Escobar. At the height of his criminal career Rodríguez was acknowledged as one of the world's most...
. Before Rodríguez Gacha attained his position as one of the top leaders of the Medellin cartel, he was employed in the service of Molina as his head of security. In January 1988, Molina was arrested on a murder charge and was later implicated as the owner of a 200-hectare coca plantation in Boyacá
Boyacá Department
Boyacá is one of the 32 Departments of Colombia, and the remnant of one of the original nine states of the "United States of Colombia".Boyacá is centrally located within Colombia, almost entirely within the mountains of the Eastern Cordillera to the border with Venezuela, although the western end...
. However, the narcotics charges were later dropped.
During 1989, he was involved in an intense power struggle over control of Colombia’s emerald mines, which are considered some of the richest in the world. Specifically, Molina was battling a rival operation, the Coscuez mines, in the violence-ridden emerald-mining district centered about 120 km northwest of Bogotá. Molina was initially assumed to be victorious in this violent struggle, along with his business partners Juan Beetar, Morita and Victor Carranza. However, any proclamation of victory soon proved to be premature. On Monday, February 27, 1989, a group consisting of around 25 uniformed men stormed into Molina’s luxurious ranch, located 72 km west of Bogotá, while Molina was hosting a housewarming party. The attackers took over the ranch without a fight and killed 18 men, including another emerald dealer, a retired police colonel in charge of Mr. Molina’s security, several bodyguards, friends and musicians. Colombian police officials speculated that the slaughter could have been on the orders of Rodríguez Gacha
José Gonzalo Rodríguez Gacha
José Gonzalo Rodríguez Gacha , also known by the nickname El Mexicano, was a Colombian drug lord who was one of the leaders of the notorious Medellín Cartel along with the Ochoa brothers and Pablo Escobar. At the height of his criminal career Rodríguez was acknowledged as one of the world's most...
, who had made a failed attempt to elbow Molina out of the emerald profession.
Despite the widespread suspicion of involvement in cocaine trafficking, Molina was also regarded as a public benefactor, spending nearly $500,000 on building a town hall, airport, a road and schools.