Santa Rosa, Colombia ? Thousands of right-wing paramilitary fighters accused of drug trafficking by the United States turned over more than 1,000 weapons Tuesday in one of the largest disarmament ceremonies to date.

The fighters’ commander, Carlos Jimenez, alias “Macaco,” is on a U.S. list of top suspected drug traffickers, and reportedly has close links with a powerful cartel.

Jimenez surrendered his weapon in December, along with 2,000 other members of the outlawed United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, or AUC.

Fighters who surrender receive amnesty and a $180 monthly government stipend.

The government suspends extradition orders for militia members who do not return to a life of crime.

The militia members Tuesday turned over eight trucks, 900 rifles, 90 pistols, 40 revolvers and other weapons in the ceremony in the town of Santa Rosa.

Tuesday’s demobilization brings to more than 20,100 the number of paramilitary combatants to have accepted the government’s peace offer, Peace Commissioner Luis Carlos Restrepo said in a statement.