One of the world's most significant drug kingpins indicted in Manhattan

One of the world's most significant drug kingpins indicted in Manhattan

2010-11-05 06:20:48 GMT+7 (ICT)

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK (BNO NEWS) -- One of the world's most significant drug kingpins was indicted in a Manhattan court on Thursday for trafficking tons of cocaine into the United States, prosecutors said.

Walid Makled Garcia, 41, is a Venezuelan-based drug kingpin who was arrested in Colombia on U.S. charges on August 18. He was charged with one count of conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States.

He is currently under custody in the South American country and the U.S. have initiated the extradition process. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 60 years in federal prison.

"Due to the outstanding work with our partners in Colombia and elsewhere, Makled-Garcia is behind bars and awaiting extradition to the U.S. for his crimes," said DEA Acting Administrator Michele Leonhart. "His arrest will impact worldwide supplies of drgs, and we are committed to now ensuring he faces justice in the United States."

Makled-Garcia, also known as "El Turco," or "El Arabe," was designated one of the world's most significant drug kingpins under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act by President Barack Obama in 2009. He is also a Consolidated Priority Organization Target (CPOT), a designation by the Justice Department for the most dangerous and prolific drug traffickers.

"As the allegations make clear, Makled-Garcia is a king among kingpins. He allegedly coordinated a vast international narcotics trafficking organization," U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said. "We will continue to work with all our law enforcement partners in the U.S., Colombia and elsewhere to bring Makled-Garcia to justice in the United States."

According to the indictment, Makled-Garcia operated and controlled airstrips located in Venezuela from 2006 until August 2010. He used them to facilitate the shipment of multi-ton quantities of cocaine from Venezuela to Central America and Mexico, knowing that a portion was destined to the United States.

Makled-Garcia bribed Venezuelan officials to secure the safe passage of the cocaine with money earned through the drug trafficking organization.

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