The leader of the Colombian cartel Clan of the Gulf, known as “Otoniel”, was sentenced to 45 years in prison for drug trafficking by a United States federal court in New York on Tuesday.
Dairo Antonio Usuga, considered Colombia’s top drug trafficker, was extradited from Colombia in May 2022 and pleaded guilty to international cocaine trafficking in January 2023.
“Otoniel” admitted to bringing more than 96 tons of cocaine to the United States through Central America and Mexico.
Brooklyn Federal Court Judge Dora Irizarry followed the prosecution’s recommendations, noting that this was “hands down” “one of the most serious drug trafficking cases” heard in that case.
The 51-year-old Colombian faced a prison sentence of 20 years to life and had already accepted a $216 million arrest warrant in January.
U.S. Attorney Merrick Garland welcomed the conviction in a statement from his agency, stressing that the “ruling sends a clear message that the Justice Department will find and bring to justice the leaders of murderous drug trafficking organizations that harm the American people.” accountable wherever they are.” be, no matter how long it takes”.
“Otoniel” had admitted in January that “killings had been committed” in the context of “military work” by his organization, which consists of former members of far-right paramilitary groups, which may number 6,000 members.
The Colombian also said the clan “provides security to laboratories and drug traffickers and collects taxes” for the cocaine passing through areas under its control.
Seven months after his arrest in Colombia, the extradition of “Otoniel”, who has led the organization since 2012, was followed by a bloody assassination campaign against police in the South American country.
With the election of President Gustavo Petro, in favor of negotiations with various armed groups, “Otoniel” asked his gang in August 2022 to end the wave of murders.
According to the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the Clan of the Gulf collaborated with the Mexican cartels of Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation to smuggle drugs into the United States.
About 90% of the drugs entering the U.S. market come from Colombia and, according to DEA data, are often mixed with fentanyl, a potent and deadly substance added by Mexican cartels.
Source: DN
