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Four dead in bomb attack on Colombia drug-rehab center

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AFP Bogota
Four people were killed and 16 wounded in a bomb attack on a newly opened Colombian drug-rehab center which police believe was the work of organized crime.

Initial reports said yesterday's attack involved "around a kilo of explosives" being carried unwittingly in a bag into the center by one of its residents, according to General Jose Angel Mendoza, police commander of Medellin, Colombia's second city.

The individual carrying the explosives was among those killed, said authorities, who believe the person may not have known the item he or she was handed contained concealed explosives.

The bomb was likely activated via a telephone.
 

Investigators said the attack was orchestrated by drug dealers riled by the rehab program, which offers voluntary treatment to down-and-out addicts and was launched just several days ago by Medellin's mayor.

"Without a doubt this has to do with criminal organizations that sell them drugs and who are adversely affected," Mendoza said.

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First Published: Mar 23 2014 | 7:20 AM IST

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