This is how a gang of Colombian thieves was caught in Chile: they accused their victims of selling drugs in their area in order to steal their cell phones.

The Policía de Investigaciones de Chile (PDI) has successfully dismantled a criminal organization known as “Las Patronas,” operating in the eastern sector of Santiago, Chile. The gang, composed of Colombian nationals, targeted high school and university students by falsely accusing them of selling drugs in their territory in order to intimidate and rob them of their mobile phones.

This law enforcement operation highlights ongoing security efforts in Santiago's eastern districts to curb street crime and intimidation tactics directed at students. The dismantling of the group addresses a specific modus operandi involving extortionary accusations used to facilitate armed or coercive thefts.