Narco-Terrorism Charges Land in Texas
HOUSTON – In a groundbreaking extradition, two alleged members of the National Liberation Army (Ejército de Liberación Nacional, aka ELN) have been brought to the United States to face charges of narco-terrorism and international cocaine distribution. Yamit Picon-Rodriguez, aka Choncha, 36, and Henry Trigos-Celon, aka Moncho Picada, 44, landed in Houston moments ago and are set to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sam Sheldon at 10 a.m. tomorrow.
The ELN, a Colombian guerrilla group officially designated as a foreign terrorist organization on October 8, 1997, continues to operate as one of the largest narco-terrorism organizations in the world. This is the first time believed members of the ELN have been extradited to the United States in their nearly 60-year history to face both narco-terrorism and drug trafficking charges.
Picon-Rodriguez is charged with international cocaine distribution conspiracy, along with five others, including distribution of a controlled substance and knowingly or intending to provide anything of pecuniary value to a person or organization that engages in terrorism or terrorist activity (narco-terrorism). The indictment alleges that Picon-Rodriguez, Trigos-Celon, and others were involved in an ongoing 20-year conspiracy to distribute cocaine from Colombia to the United States, knowing or intending to provide pecuniary support to the ELN.
In early 2019, Trigos-Celon and four others allegedly participated in distributing approximately 30 kilograms of cocaine in Colombia, knowing it would be imported into the United States. The Houston Divisions of the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted the investigation as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). FBI and DEA agents in Bogota provided substantial support, as did the U.S. Southern Command and international partners, including the Colombian Army, National Police, National Prosecutor’s Office, and Technical Body of Investigation.
The operation, dubbed Operation Catatumbo Lightning, is part of an OCDETF Strike Forces initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams working side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations.
Suspected ELN leader Villegas-Palomino, aka Carlos El Puerco, 38, is also charged but not yet in custody. He is considered a fugitive, as are Jaime Miguel Picon-Rodriguez, aka Chencho, and Jairo, 38, and Diomedes Barbosa-Montaño, aka El Burro, 38. A warrant remains outstanding for their arrests, and the U.S. Department of State is offering up to a $5 million reward for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Villegas-Palomino.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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