Victor Patiño-Fomeque

Patiño was responsible for ensuring the security and effectiveness of the Cali Cartel's maritime operations of drug shipments.

[1] Patiño was once a Colombian policeman and was recruited later by Gilberto and Miguel Rodríguez Orejuela, leaders of the Cali Cartel, to be their bodyguard.

[2] On October 7, 2005, Patiño and his mother testified in the United States and accused a prominent Colombian politician named Vicente Blel of being one of his major nominees.

Blel responded that he indeed had met with Patiño, thinking it was in fact Gomez, the businessman, and had collaborated with him several times, even helping him to put properties under his name and with numerous other favors.

The DEA decided it was best for Patiño to return to Colombia, since it would not be fair for the U.S. government to protect a criminal of his stature.