In a coordinated international operation, authorities in Colombia arrested a suspect linked to online child exploitation after information from Spain’s Mossos d’Esquadra reached Colombian investigators.
The case centers on an individual identified in Bogotá’s Prosecutor’s Office as a person suspected of engaging in sexual offenses involving minors. The information, supplied by Mossos d’Esquadra, traced the suspect to a city in Colombia, specifically Sabaneta, and helped local authorities confirm the suspect’s presence there. The investigation began with a tip that connected activities in Spain with actions reported in Colombia, prompting officials to pursue further evidence while ensuring proper coordination across jurisdictions.
According to authorities, Mossos d’Esquadra encountered the suspect on two occasions when he was located in Spain. During those encounters, the Catalan police confiscated a mobile phone and a video camera after discovering material involving young children. The suspect, however, subsequently traveled to Colombia before any formal arrest could be effected by Spanish authorities. The case underscores the cross-border nature of online offenses against minors and the critical role of international cooperation in prosecuting such crimes.
Investigators from the Central Computer Crime Unit of the Mossos d’Esquadra, working alongside the Regional Police of Catalonia and Colombia’s DIJIN judicial police, pursued charges related to pornography involving a minor. The Colombian Prosecutor’s Office publicly acknowledged the ongoing collaboration, noting that the information exchange had enabled a broader examination of the suspect’s activities and digital footprint.
Following the information exchange, Mossos d’Esquadra transmitted footage and data to Colombian authorities via Interpol-facilitated channels. Colombian officials announced the arrest, citing the legal framework that governs pornography involving minors under Colombian law. The case highlights the importance of timely information sharing and the use of interoperable digital evidence to build robust prosecutions across borders.
The investigative work led to the identification of the municipality of Sabaneta and the discovery of a substantial volume of material linked to the case. Among the evidence were numerous videos and photographs depicting minors in various situations, some captured in public contexts. Investigators also found metadata indicating the origin of several videos and a visible emblem associated with the Colombian municipality in one image, corroborating the suspect’s location and movements across jurisdictions. These findings contributed to a consolidated evidentiary record that supported formal legal proceedings in Colombia.
Overall, the joint effort demonstrates how international policing bodies can cooperate to trace digital content, verify identities, and pursue charges that align with national laws. The case serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by online exploitation and the necessity for robust, cross-border investigative frameworks to protect children’s safety and privacy across countries.