Colombian National Extradited for Narco-Terrorism Charges

Carlos Fernando Melo, a Colombian national, has been extradited to the United States for narco-terrorism, firearms, and drug-trafficking charges. Melo was taken into custody by Colombian authorities on April 20, 2021, at the request of the United States, and arrived in the Southern District of New York yesterday from Colombia.

According to the allegations contained in the Complaint and Indictment charging the defendant, which were unsealed today in Manhattan federal court, Melo attempted to broker deals for machine guns with known narco-terrorist organizations, with the stated mission of murdering a DEA agent abroad as a ‘trophy.’

Melo’s extradition today ensures that he’ll be held accountable on U.S. soil for allegedly targeting DEA Special Agents committed to fighting the illicit drug trade. DEA Administrator Anne Milgram stated, ‘DEA’s central mission is targeting the most dangerous, most ruthless drug-traffickers who threaten our communities for their own profit. Carlos Fernando Melo is alleged to have not only supported and participated in violent narco-terrorism, but also sought to have a DEA agent murdered.’

According to the allegations, between approximately September 2019 and December 2019, Melo attempted to purchase explosives and firearms, including machine guns, from individuals Melo understood to be arms traffickers for use by two organizations then designated by the Department of State as Foreign Terrorist Organizations: the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (‘FARC’) and the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (‘ELN’).

The case is assigned to United States District Court Judge Sidney H. Stein. Melo is expected to be presented later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge James L. Cott.

The exact criminal charges against Melo are narco-terrorism, firearms, and drug-trafficking offenses. The outcome of the case is currently pending.

Defendant: Carlos Fernando Melo

City and State: New York

Exact Date: April 20, 2021

Sentence or Outcome: Currently pending

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