British Gunmen Reportedly Aimed to Kill Drug Lord
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LONDON — A British television station reported Wednesday that 11 British mercenaries were involved in an unsuccessful attempt in June to kill Pablo Escobar, a reputed Colombian cocaine baron.
Independent Television News said the men were hired by a rival drug gang to kill Escobar, said to be a leader of the Medellin cartel. The report did not name the rival gang.
It showed film of men in camouflage gear in helicopters and in a jungle, and said the “exclusive” footage depicted rehearsals for the June 4 assassination attempt. Independent Television News said it understood one of the mercenaries made the film.
The attempt failed when one of two helicopters crashed while flying low over the Escobar estate, killing the pilot, according to the report.
It said the British mercenaries had intended to drop explosives on Escobar’s house, land and kill everyone in the area. The report said all the mercenaries survived the crash, implying the pilot was Colombian.
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