Reputed Colombian Drug Lord Gets 30 Years

Brazil Sentences Man Behind Cartel That Allegedly Shipped 550 Tons Of Cocaine To U.S.

(AP)  A reputed Colombian drug lord whose cartel is accused of having shipped hundreds of tons of cocaine to the United States was sentenced Tuesday to more than 30 years in prison in Brazil for crimes commmitted in that country.

Juan Carlos Ramirez Abadia, who was arrested last year in Brazil, was found guilty of money laundering, corruption, conspiracy and use of false documents in this South American country. Besides the sentence, Ramirez Abadia must also pay a fine worth US$2.5 million.

"It was proved that after July of 2004, Juan Carlos Ramirez Abadia has channeled his business in Brazil mainly toward the acquisition of properties, vehicles, and other objects using the money resulting from drug trafficking in Colombia," Judge Fausto Martin de Sanctis said in a statement.

But Ramirez Abadia, who is also known as "Chupeta" or "Lollipop," may not have to serve time in Brazil.

Last month, Brazil's Supreme Court ruled he can be extradited to the United States to face racketeering charges. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will have the final word on whether he stays in Brazil to serve his sentence or is extradited immediately to the United States.

In his ruling, the judge advised against extraditing Ramirez Abadia until he has served his time in Brazil.

Ramirez Abadia, who is reputedly a leader of Colombia's powerful Norte del Valle cartel, has said he wants to begin his confinement in the United States as quickly as possible.

Brazil's Supreme Court has said the United States must agree not to sentence Ramirez Abadia to more than 30 years in jail, the maximum allowed under Brazilian law, in order for the extradition to take place.

Ramirez Abadia's wife, Yessica Paolo Rojas Morales, was sentenced to 11 years and six months in prison for her participation in Ramirez Abadia's operations. Eight other people were also convicted.

Last fall, U.S. officials sought Ramirez Abadia's extradition to face racketeering charges under a 2004 indictment - charges that could bring a lengthy sentence but not the death penalty. His cartel allegedly shipped 550 tons of cocaine to the United States from 1990 to 2003.

In the U.S. indictment, Ramirez Abadia and other gang members were accused of routinely killing their rivals and individuals who failed to pay for drugs. He also was accused of killing a gang member he suspected was an informant for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration

The Colombian has acknowledged using profits from cocaine shipments to buy businesses that police say included cattle ranches, industrial property, mansions and hotels.

Ramirez Abadia claims he left Colombia for Brazil because he feared he might be killed by rival drug gang members and said he was not involved in drug trafficking in Brazil.

In January, he offered to hand over tens of millions of dollars in exchange for a quick extradition to the United States and his wife's release from jail, but the offer was rejected and ordered him to turn over all his assets without setting conditions.

[feelfree1]

Re: "Reputed Colombian Drug Lord Gets 30 Years"

Meanwhile, members of the Bush cabal remain at-large, and un-hanged.

What sense does that make?

[prinzowhales]

Now why would this fine fellow want a quick extradition to the nation that is supposed to be fighting a drug war against the likes of him? (While at the same time allowing the CIA to smuggle tons of cocaine into the United States. Remember the two CIA planes tied to renditions with tons of coke that went down in Mexico? CBSNBCABCFOXCNN apparently doesn''t.)
Bush41, nearly 20 years ago, declared the drug war won...his gang won, I suppose.

[honestabe8]

If we want prohibit something people want, this is the kind of criminals we create. This is not a Democrat or a Republican problem, just the absurd nature of prohibition.

[j-whitman]

Where''s singinrick ?? Jesus isn''t the only Lord

[j-whitman]

guyfrompa45,,,, You gotta admit, Bush & his advisors along with his appointee''s & decisions are a cause of a lot of our problems

[prinzowhales]

Prinzowhales- I guess Bush invented cocaine too you morons.
Posted by guyfrompa45 at 07:28 AM : Apr 02, 2008
---------------------------
As usual, you are wrong. Care to comment on the two CIA planes that went down in Mexico with tons of cocaine on board? Care to guess why Barry Seal, one of the biggest narco-smugglers for the CIA was gunned down and had then vice-president Bush''s private number in his possession? Care to comment on the admission of the CIA IG before Congress that the CIA was involved in drug smuggling? Care to comment on Gary Webb''s articles regarding the CIA supplying drugs to dealers in LA?...usw....

[swwils]

Only 30 years,I got 8 for 2 dwi''s,guess I should have been a cocaine dealer 550 tons.

[swwils]

We delivered more coke than that in 78-bo during the Iran contra scandal,and Noriega took the fall because regan had no recolection of signing the paperwork in 82,so they tried to pin Oliver North who was to smart like Reagan,but I remember watching C-130 Hercules air craft landing in Honduras and being loaded with skids of stuff ,later traded for weapons for the contra rebels.