Colombia catches 5 suspects in death of DEA agent

6:48 p.m. EDT June 25, 2013


Colombia's National Police Chief Gen. Jose Roberto Leon Riano, left, talks to the media as Metropolitan Police Commander Gen. Luis Martinez looks on at police headquarters in Bogota, Colombia, June 25.(Photo: Fernando Vergara, AP)
Story Highlights


  • Authorities say five men arrested in slaying of U.S. anti-drug agent
  • The five are alleged members of a gang
  • The man killed was identified as agent James Watson



BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombia's president says authorities have arrested five men in the slaying of a U.S. anti-drug agent during a robbery.
President Juan Manuel Santos says the five men are alleged members of a gang that specializes in robberies. Authorities say two are taxi drivers.
Both Colombian and U.S. officials have said they believe that Drug Enforcement Administration agent James Watson was probably killed in a common robbery, not because of his law enforcement work.
Colombia's National Police director says Edgar Javier Bello is believed to be the man who stabbed the 43-year-old Watson on June 20 after he left a restaurant and got into a taxi.
Gen. Jose Roberto Leon said Tuesday that an informant will receive about $25,800 for information in the case.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/06/25/colombia-dea-agent/2457941/