Colombian authorities arrest active and retired military personnel for arms trafficking

BOGOTA, Colombia — Authorities in Colombia on Saturday arrested a group of nine active and retired military personnel on arms trafficking charges stemming from a broader investigation into a grenade attack last year in the capital.

The Colombian army said in a statement that those arrested included three non-commissioned officers and two soldiers, as well as four retired military personnel. They are all charged with conspiracy.

The military’s public information office told The Associated Press that the materials the group allegedly trafficked included ammunition, weapons and uniforms.

The investigation stems from an attack last year near a toll booth in Bogotá, with authorities later determining that the grenades used belonged to the military. No one was injured in the attack.

The arrests are the second in as many months in which members of the armed forces have been linked to arms trafficking.