Bolivian Cop Gets 25 Years for Coke Pipeline

⏱ 3 min read

Maximiliano Davila Perez, the former director of Bolivia’s anti-drug agency, is facing a quarter-century in federal prison after a New York jury convicted him of orchestrating a cocaine pipeline into the United States. The 50-something Perez didn’t just turn a blind eye to the cartels; he was on their payroll, guaranteeing safe passage for massive shipments of cocaine bound for the streets of New York City. He was extradited from Bolivia in December 2024 and sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Denise L. Cote.

For years, Perez, as head of the Fuerza Especial de Lucha Contra el Narcotráfico (FELCN), allegedly used his position to shield traffickers, ensuring their cocaine moved freely. The week-long trial peeled back layers of corruption, revealing a level of complicity that even hardened investigators found stunning. The feds weren’t just building a drug case; they were exposing a compromised law enforcement official actively working for the enemy.

“He wielded extraordinary power and chose to abuse that power,” U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton stated after the verdict. DEA Administrator Terrance Cole was equally blunt: “He turned his office into a criminal enterprise.” The DEA’s Special Operations Division led the multi-year investigation, painstakingly untangling a network of narco-corruption that stretched from the Andes Mountains to the five boroughs of New York.

Beyond the coke, Perez was also convicted on a firearms charge, hinting at the depth of his cartel connections. The 25-year sentence is a harsh message: even those sworn to uphold the law won’t escape justice when they choose to partner with criminals. The case shines a light on the relentless battle against international drug trafficking and the damage corruption can inflict on law enforcement globally.