Related Federal Cases
Cocaine Importation Suspects Extradited
MIAMI, FL – In a major blow to international narcotics traffickers, Colombian citizens Omar Alejandro Vanegas Lora, a/k/a “Paco,” 41, and Edinson Antonio Ahumada Arboleda, a/k/a “El Primo,” 48, were extradited to the United States to face charges in the Southern District of Florida involving the importation of kilogram quantities of cocaine into the United States.
According to authorities, the extradition marks the culmination of a multi-agency investigation that began in 2010 into the drug smuggling activities at Port Everglades. The investigation has resulted in the indictment and conviction of nearly a dozen former King Ocean Services employees who worked at Port Everglades and numerous drug traffickers who received the narcotics from the port that were being smuggled aboard cargo ships owned or operated by King Ocean Services.
As a result of this investigation, Vanegas Lora and Ahumada Arboleda were indicted in the Southern District of Florida on January 25, 2013. The indictment charges Omar Alejandro Vanegas Lora and Edinson Antonio Ahumada Arboleda with conspiring to import cocaine into the United States and conspiring to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
The investigation revealed that beginning in at least 2009 through the date of the indictment, Vanegas Lora and Ahumada Arboleda allegedly ran a scheme to smuggle multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine aboard King Ocean Services cargo vessels that were destined for Port Everglades, while these vessels were docked at ports of call overseas. Once the vessels arrived at Port Everglades, Vanegas Lora and Ahumada Arboleda allegedly coordinated the offloading of the narcotics from the vessels with Port Everglades employees and other associates, and arranged to have the narcotics delivered to local drug traffickers.
The conspiracy allegedly involved the importation of more than 150 kilograms of cocaine through Port Everglades. Vanegas Lora and Ahumada Arboleda were arrested and extradited on January 23, 2014, and made their initial appearance today in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Chris M. McAliley.
U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer stated, “The arrest and extradition of Omar Alejandro Vanegas Lora and Edinson Antonio Ahumada Arboleda are the direct result of strong international cooperation with Colombian authorities. It also reflects the hard work, commitment, and perseverance of our Colombian and U.S. law enforcement partners to rid our streets of drugs and make our ports of entry safer. Now that Vanegas Lora and Ahumada Arboleda have been successfully extradited, justice will be served.”
HSI Special Agent in Charge Alysa D. Erichs added, “HSI and our law enforcement partners will continue to combat drug trafficking in the United States. Our ports will not serve as an entry point for narcotics or other contraband.”
This is not the first time that King Ocean Services has been linked to narcotics smuggling. In 2012, the company was fined $1 million for violating U.S. law by transporting narcotics through the port.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News