How Did Hundreds of Phones and Starlink Antennas Operate Inside ‘La Picota’ Jail?

On November 3, 2026, Colombian authorities seized 582 cellphones, 3,754 SIM cards, 38 modems, and six Starlink antennas from La Picota prison in Bogota. This massive haul, uncovered in 19 prison wings, raised questions about how such a sophisticated communications network managed to enter and remain inside the prison. The discovery covered a wide range of electronic items, including makeshift weapons, drugs, and cash.

While the seizure highlights the presence of unauthorized communications and potential criminal activity, it does not definitively answer the key questions of who brought the equipment in, how long it had been inside the facility, or whether it was actively used to commit crimes. Establishing these details requires further investigation, including an examination of the devices, verification of phone lines, and comparison with crime reports from victims.

President Abelardo de la Espriella emphasized the operation as a show of authority, stating that prisons cannot serve as criminal command centers. However, the real test will lie in subsequent court investigations and the implementation of controls to prevent future equipment from entering the prison.

National figures reveal a broader issue beyond La Picota. Colombia reported a significant increase in extortion cases, with 13,428 reported in 2025 compared to 9,791 in 2022. The National Planning Department and Asocapitales estimate that nearly 70% of extortion calls originate from prisons, although this figure pertains to the origin of calls rather than the overall rate of extortion cases.

The National Penitentiary and Prison Institute (INPEC) processed 73,670 records related to extortion, with 14,097 calls traced to prisons and linked to possible extortion cases. These records underscore the ongoing challenge of controlling communications within prisons, despite the physical seizures made during the Nov. 3 operation.

INPEC has requested mobile carriers to block 9,967 records associated with potential extortion, but the process of confirming call origins, matching information with phone companies, and issuing blocking orders is complex and often delayed. The institute acknowledges its limited resources for timely review and action, compounded by delays from telecommunications providers like ETB.

The physical seizure of devices, numbering 72,505 since January 2025, highlights a significant security gap. Phones can enter prisons through various means, including being thrown over perimeter walls, hidden in packages, or brought in during visiting hours. While the total number of seized phones does not imply direct involvement in extortion, it does illustrate the scale of the security challenge authorities must address.

Other government reports reveal ongoing efforts to combat criminal networks operating from within prisons. In January 2026, the Justice Ministry reported that over 21,500 operations led to the seizure of 34,800 phones and 33,200 SIM cards. Additionally, Operation Domino, launched in 2023, has contributed to similar findings, although the figures should not be combined without considering potential overlaps.

A notable case involved the arrest of 33 individuals and charges against six others in December 2025, tied to a digital extortion investigation involving La Picota and El Buen Pastor prisons. This investigation, based on the analysis of 4.8 million banking and phone records, suggested the use of fake online profiles, threats, and digital payments. Moreover, it was revealed that a former INPEC employee operated a criminal call center from La Picota.

In September 2026, the government of Bogota disclosed another alleged network involved in extortion and scams from a prison wing at La Picota, citing information from prosecutors and examining over 631,000 financial transactions. These findings point to the persistent threat posed by unauthorized communications and criminal activities within Colombian prisons, prompting authorities to strengthen their controls and investigations.