Guns in TVs – Colombia FIGHTS Back HARD

Colombian terrorist groups are receiving American firearms disguised as TVs and speakers, putting unsuspecting young couriers at risk of imprisonment while fueling violence in the war-torn nation.

At a Glance

  • Arms traffickers are recruiting economically vulnerable young Colombians to receive weapons concealed inside household appliances shipped from the U.S.
  • Weapons are being supplied to terrorist organizations including FARC and ELN, designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations by the U.S.
  • Colombian authorities have seized over 8,000 firearms in 2025, demonstrating the scale of the illegal arms trade
  • Multiple individuals have been arrested and face extradition to the U.S., with potential sentences ranging from 20 years to life imprisonment
  • U.S. Homeland Security Investigations is cooperating with Colombian forces to intercept smuggled weapons

Sophisticated Smuggling Operations Exploit Vulnerable Colombians

Colombian news program Noticias Caracol has uncovered an alarming trend in arms trafficking between the United States and Colombia. Weapons are being systematically concealed inside ordinary household electronics like televisions and speakers, then shipped through courier services. These illegal operations specifically target economically disadvantaged youth who are paid small sums to receive the packages, often unaware of the contents or the legal consequences they face.

In one recent operation, Colombian authorities arrested a 23-year-old who received a television containing a concealed rifle. Another raid resulted in the detention of a 20-year-old found with a speaker housing a similar weapon, along with two associates. These recipients now face severe legal consequences, including potential extradition to the United States.

Colonel Yorguin Malagón revealed the calculated targeting strategy used by traffickers: “They look for people with scarce economic resources. They capture them and use them for a little money. In other cases, they look for people medically diagnosed as hopeless and they are the ones they are using to receive these packages.”

Weapons Fueling Terrorist Activities

The smuggled firearms ultimately bolster the arsenals of designated terrorist organizations including FARC-EP (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People’s Army) and ELN (National Liberation Army). FARC-EP, a dissident faction rejecting the 2016 peace agreement with the Colombian government, controls territory responsible for producing approximately 70% of Colombia’s cocaine. The U.S. designated FARC-EP as a foreign terrorist organization in December 2021.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams highlighted the serious nature of these operations: “As alleged, Carlos Fernando Melo attempted to broker deals for machine guns with known narco-terrorist organizations, with the stated mission of murdering a DEA agent abroad as a ‘trophy.’ Unbeknownst to him, the individuals Melo believed to be arms traffickers were, in actuality, DEA confidential sources. Melo’s extradition today ensures that he’ll be held accountable on U.S. soil for allegedly targeting DEA Special Agents committed to fighting the illicit drug trade.” 

High-Profile Arrests and Severe Penalties

Several major arms trafficking cases have recently come to light. Carlos Fernando Melo, a Colombian national, was extradited to the U.S. on charges of narco-terrorism, firearms trafficking, and drug-trafficking offenses. According to court documents, between September and December 2019, Melo sought explosives and firearms for terrorist organizations and provided a coded list of desired weapons. He allegedly discussed payment methods including cash and cocaine.

DEA Administrator Anne Milgram emphasized the agency’s commitment to pursuing these cases: “DEA’s central mission is targeting the most dangerous, most ruthless drug-traffickers who threaten our communities for their own profit. Carlos Fernando Melo is alleged to have not only supported and participated in violent narco-terrorism, but also sought to have a DEA agent murdered. DEA will relentlessly pursue narco-terrorists and drug traffickers who threaten the safety and health of Americans.”

In a separate case, authorities charged FARC-EP commander Iván Jacobo Idrobo Arredondo and associate Juan Diego Palta Montero with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and conspiracy to engage in narco-terrorism. The indictment alleges they attempted to trade cocaine for weapons from March 2023 to March 2024. If convicted, they face a mandatory minimum sentence of 50 years and potentially life imprisonment. 

Ongoing Enforcement Efforts

The coordinated efforts between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations and Colombia’s Tax and Customs Police have led to multiple successful operations intercepting smuggled weapons. During one operation, security personnel were recorded cautioning, “Let’s hold on because there are some points ahead and we don’t know who might be watching us,” highlighting the dangerous nature of these interdiction efforts.

The Colombian police have seized over 8,000 firearms so far in 2025, revealing the extensive scale of this illegal trade. Many of these weapons were destined for criminal organizations operating in Colombia’s major cities, where they would perpetuate cycles of violence and strengthen terrorist capabilities. The ongoing enforcement efforts illustrate the serious threat these weapons pose to Colombia’s security and stability.

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