Gilberto Molina (1937 – February 27, 1989) was a major Colombian emerald magnate who was intimately connected to the notorious Medellin cartel and widely suspected of involvement in drug trafficking during the 1980s. Wanted poster of Pablo Escobar from http://www. ... The Medellín Cartel was a well-organized network of drug smugglers that operated in the city of Medellín in Colombia through the 1970s and 1980s. ... Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria (December 1, 1949 – December 2, 1993) gained world infamy as a Colombian drug dealer. ... George Jacob Jung (born August 6, 1942) was a major player in cocaine importation in the United States in the 1970s and early 80s. ... José Gonzalo Rodríguez Gacha (May 1947 - December 15, 1989), also known by the nickname El Mexicano, was a Colombian drug lord who was considered the number two leader of the notorious Medellín Cartel behind Pablo Escobar. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Jorge Luis Ochoa Vázquez was a drug trafficker from Medellín, Colombia who helped found the notorious Medellín Cartel in the late 1970s. ... Fabio Ochoa Vázquez (b. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... February 27 is the 58th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Emerald (disambiguation). ... For a wealthy or powerful business baron, executive, or tycoon, see Business magnate. ... Retail selling Street selling is the bottom of the chain and can be accomplished through purchasing from prostitutes, through cloaked retail stores or refuse houses for users in the act located in red-light districts which often also deal in paraphernalia, dealers marketing merriment at night clubs and other events... The 1980s refers to the years of and between 1980 and 1989. ...

During January 1988, Molina was charged with alligations that he operated an airplane maintenance facility at Subachoque, near Bogotá, where helicopters (including Panamanian registered helicopters) were serviced secretly. He also owned a private ranch called La Fortuna, which allegedly contained sophisticated warning devices and was used as a drug distribution center. Molina was at one time a close friend and working associate of José Gonzalo Rodríguez Gacha. Before Rodriguez Gacha attained his position as one of the top leaders of the Medellin cartel, he was employed in the service of Molina as his head of security. In January 1988, Molina was arrested on a murder charge and was later implicated as the owner of a 200 hectare coca plantation in Boyacá. However, the narcotics charges were later dropped. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Nickname: Athens of Latin America Motto: Bogotá, 2600 metros más cerca de las estrellas Bogotá, 2600 meters closer to the stars Municipalities of Bogotá Country Colombia Department Bogotá, D.C.* Foundation August 6, 1538  - Mayor Luís Eduardo Garzón, PDA Area    - City 1,587 km²  (Expression error: Unrecognised... José Gonzalo Rodríguez Gacha (May 1947 - December 15, 1989), also known by the nickname El Mexicano, was a Colombian drug lord who was considered the number two leader of the notorious Medellín Cartel behind Pablo Escobar. ... Motto: Capital Tunja Governor Area 23,189 km² Population  - Total (2003)  - Density   1,411,239 61 people/km² Adjective Boyacá is a department of Colombia, one of the original nine states of the United States of Colombia. Boyacá is centrally located within Colombia, almost entirely within the mountains of Eastern...

During 1989, he was involved in an intense power struggle over control of Colombia’s emerald mines, which are considered some of the richest in the world. Specifically, Molina was battling a rival operation, the Coscuez mines, in the violence-ridden emerald-mining district centered about 75 miles northwest of Bogotá. Molina was initially assumed to be victorious in this violent struggle, along with his business partners Juan Beetar and Victor Carranza. However, any proclamation of victory soon proved to be premature. On Monday, February 27, 1989, a group consisting of around 25 uniformed men stormed into Molina’s luxurious ranch, located 45 miles west of Bogotá, while Molina was hosting a housewarming party. The attackers took over the ranch without a fight and killed 18 men, including another emerald dealer, a retired police colonel in charge of Mr. Molina’s security, several bodyguards, friends and musicians. Colombian police officials speculated that the slaughter could have been on the orders of Rodriguez Gacha, who had made a failed attempt to elbow Molina out of the emerald profession. 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Despite the widespread suspicion of involvement in cocaine trafficking, Molina was also regarded as a public benefactor, spending nearly $500,000 on building a town hall, airport, a road and schools.^[1]

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