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Alleged Columbia Narcotics Trafficker Extradited to the United States

Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher has announced that Carlos Mario Jimenez-Naranjo, has been extradited from Colombia to the United States to face drug trafficking charges. Jimenez-Naranjo faces drug-related charges in the District of Columbia and the Southern District of Florida. Jimenez-Naranjo has already made his initial appearance before Judge Alan Kay in the District of Columbia.^[1]

Jimenez-Naranjo was indicted in the District of Columbia for conspiracy to manufacture and distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, with intent to import cocaine into the United States and with engaging in drug trafficking with the intent to provide something of pecuniary value to a terrorist organization (narco-terrorism). The indictment also includes a forfeiture allegation. If Jimenez-Naranjo is found guilty of these charges, he will face a minimum prison sentence of 20 years and a maximum of life imprisonment. However, in accordance with the extradition request, the United States has provided assurances to the government of Colombia that it will seek a prison term as opposed to a life sentence.^[2] In addition, the defendant is charged in a 20 count indictment with conspiracy to import cocaine, money laundering offenses and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine on board a vessel subject to United States jurisdiction, in the Southern District of Florida.^[3]

Jimenez-Naranjo will first face trial on the charges in the District of Columbia.^[4]

Prior to his arrest, Jimenez-Naranjo was accused of being one of the top leaders of the Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia (AUC), a Colombian right-wing paramilitary and drug-trafficking organization and an organization that has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. Department of State.^[5] The indictment states that Jimenez-Naranjo led the Bloque Central Bolivar, a group within the AUC, which it is estimated consisted of 7,000 armed combatants.^[6] It is also alleged that Jimenez-Naranjo controlled large areas where cocaine was produced, and his organization was responsible for exporting thousands of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia to Central America, Mexico and the United States. In August 2007, Jimenez-Naranjo was served with a provisional arrest warrant based on the indictment in the District of Columbia.[7]

Article 8 of the extradition treaty between the United States of Columbia has been often thought of as an important article in the extradition of individuals facing prosecution for the alleged trafficking of narcotics. That article imposes an obligation on the requested State to extradite all persons, including its nationals, in cases where the offense involves punishable acts in both countries and the offense was intended to be consummated in the requesting State. The entire extradition treaty between the United States and Columbia can be read here.

Federal criminal defense attorney, Douglas McNabb has written extensively on the subject of international extradition. Some of his work on the subject can be found here.

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[1] Press Release, United States Department of Justice, Colombian Paramilitary Leader Extradited to the United States to Face U.S. Drug Charges, May 7, 2008 (available at http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2008/May/08_crm_388.html).
[2] Id.
[3] Id.
[4] Id.
[5] Id.
[6] Id.
[7] Id.

Full post as published by International Extradition Blog on May 10, 2008 (boomark / email).