Who Is Hélmer Herrera? Age, Biography and Wiki
Hélmer Herrera was born on August 24, 1951, and tragically passed away on March 14, 1998. As of 2025, he would have been 73 years old, had he been alive. Herrera is infamously recognized for his role as a significant player in Colombia’s drug trafficking scene during the late 20th century. He was notably a part of the infamous Cali Cartel, which played a critical role in the cocaine trade globally. Due to his criminal enterprise, Herrera’s life was marked by wealth, violence, and controversy, making him a subject of interest in both historical and criminal studies.
| Occupation | Gangsters |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 24, 1951 |
| Age | 47 Years |
| Birth Place | Palmira, Valle del Cauca, Colombia |
| Horoscope | Virgo |
| Country | Colombia |
| Date of death | 6 November, 1998 |
| Died Place | Palmira, Valle del Cauca, Colombia |
Popularity
Hélmer Herrera's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Details about Hélmer Herrera’s physical statistics vary, given that he lived a life shadowed by illicit activities rather than public appearances. However, it is estimated that he stood around 5 feet 9 inches tall (175 cm) and weighed approximately 180 pounds (82 kg) at the time of his activities. As a trafficker, he likely had a presence that commanded respect in his circles.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Hélmer Herrera was known to keep his personal life relatively private, especially given the dangerous nature of his work. Information regarding his family, including the names of his wife or significant other, is scarce. It is documented that he had children, though details surrounding his relationships remain largely undisclosed due to the secretive life that accomplices in such criminal activities often lead.
Net Worth and Salary
At the peak of his involvement in drug trafficking, Hélmer Herrera amassed considerable wealth. Estimates suggest that his net worth may have reached hundreds of millions, derived mainly from his dealings with the Cali Cartel. However, due to the illicit nature of his income and the subsequent seizure of assets following his death, precise figures are difficult to ascertain.
Career, Business and Investments
Hélmer Herrera's career as a drug trafficker commenced in the 1970s, where he became a prominent figure in the cocaine trade through the Cali Cartel. His operations were known for being more corporate and structured compared to other rival gangs, focusing on distribution networks. Following the decline of the Medellín Cartel, Herrera’s influence grew, establishing extensive trafficking routes within and outside of Colombia. Besides drug trafficking, there were reports of Herrera engaging in money laundering and other ancillary businesses to hide and invest his drug proceeds. His criminal career abruptly ended with his death in 1998, which marked a significant turning point for the Cali Cartel.
Herrera grew up in the Colombian town of Palmira, in the Valle del Cauca Department. While in high school, Herrera studied technical maintenance, an experience that got him a job later in the United States. Living in the United States, he also became a jeweler and precious metals broker until he began selling cocaine in New York City.
In 1975, and 1978, Herrera was arrested on distribution charges in New York City for selling cocaine.
Social Network
While Hélmer Herrera was not a figure who engaged with social media or public platforms, his life and actions have been extensively discussed in books, documentaries, and academic circles exploring drug trafficking's historical context in Colombia. His legacy continues to draw interest in criminal studies, though his social presence is limited to cinematic and literary portrayals rather than real-time social connections.
Herrera always kept a very low profile and was never interviewed, and his name was almost never mentioned with that of the other leaders of the Cali Cartel.
Although it has been argued that he was the source of most of the money involved in the illicit financing of Ernesto Samper's presidential campaign, Herrera himself never spoke of the issue and was never formally involved in the investigation.
His name came to light only after a terrorist attack on a football field in Candelaria, Valle del Cauca, on September 25, 1990; 20 gunmen dressed in army and police attire opened fire on the crowd where Herrera was sitting, killing 18, but not hitting Herrera.
The attack was attributed to the Medellín Cartel, and particularly to Pablo Escobar, who apparently blamed Herrera for a car bomb which exploded on January 13, 1988, in the Escobar-owned Monaco apartment building, located in one of the most affluent areas in Medellín.
The war between the cartels led to much bloodshed, but Herrera took a back role and left the fighting to the Rodriguez brothers. Another attempt on Herrera's life was made on July 27, 1991, in a summer resort: hooded gunmen wearing pink bracelets opened fire, killing 17 and hurting 13 others.
Education
There is little known about Hélmer Herrera’s formal education. While many in the drug trade lack academic credentials, those who succeed often possess street-smart intelligence and tactical knowledge about running illicit operations. It is safe to assume that Herrera was more adept at navigating the complexities of the drug trade than traditional educational systems.
