Luis Felipe Agudelo Maya, a Colombian citizen and alleged member of an international money laundering network linked to drug trafficking, was captured in Medellín, capital of the department of Antioquia, in a joint operation between national and foreign authorities. The detainee is wanted for extradition by the United States, where he faces charges of conspiracy to commit a crime and money laundering, informed the Attorney General’s Office.
According to the official statement, Agudelo is accused of participating in a sophisticated scheme that legalized drug money through the use of cryptocurrencies and other digital financial tools. Investigations reveal that this criminal organization operated in several countries, facilitating the entry of illicit funds into the financial system of Colombia and Mexico, while concealing their origin linked to international drug trafficking.
A network with global reach
The Attorney General’s Office, through the Technical Investigation Corps (CTI) and with the support of @COL_EJERCITO, captured Luis Felipe Agudelo Maya, an alleged member of an international network accused of laundering assets through the purchase and sale of… pic.twitter.com/i81TSjk2Ah
– Colombian Prosecutor’s Office (@FiscaliaCol) November 7, 2025
The case has attracted international attention not only because of the magnitude of the money involved – more than US$2 million laundered – but also because of the technology used.
Luis Felipe Agudelo Maya, according to the extradition request issued by the Southern District Court of Florida, was a key player in a scheme involving the use of crypto-assets and mirror payments.
This is a technique that simulates international transfers without physically moving money, making it difficult for the financial authorities to trace.
The operation was not limited to Colombia.
Another 19 people who were allegedly part of this network were arrested in coordinated actions carried out in the United States, Mexico and Spain, revealing the transnational dimension of the criminal structure.
Support from local authorities and feedback
🚨Capture for extradition purposes in Medellin
In an operation, the National Army, with troops from the Military Police Battalion No. 4, in coordination with the Attorney General’s Office, achieved in the Los Balsos neighborhood of Medellin the capture for extradition purposes of… pic.twitter.com/rGfUujgoOQ
– Fico Gutierrez (@FicoGutierrez) November 7, 2025
The mayor of Medellín, Federico Gutiérrez, was quick to comment on the capture, celebrating the authorities’ action and sending a clear message:
“In Medellín there is no room for crime or for those who try to use our city as a refuge for international crime networks,” he wrote on his official X (formerly Twitter) account.
He added that his administration is committed to addressing these threats:
“The law is respected here. Here we confront crimes decisively. Here we defend life, justice and the safety of the people.”
During the proceedings in other cities, such as Miami, Mexico City and Madrid, large sums of cash and other evidence were seized, which will be crucial in the judicial process.
The authorities indicated that these seizures will help to broaden the lines of investigation and clarify the role of each member of the network.
What’s next?
Luis Felipe Agudelo Maya is currently in custody while the judicial process for his extradition to the US, where he will face justice for his alleged involvement in money laundering.
If found guilty on U.S. soil, he could face decades in prison, as financial crimes linked to drug trafficking are considered high-impact crimes.
This case brings back to the table the challenges of transnational organized crime and how the use of technologies such as cryptocurrencies can be leveraged to evade legal controls.
At the same time, it demonstrates progress in international cooperation to combat money laundering, a priority for both the United States and Latin America.
Archived as: Luis Felipe Agudelo Maya
