Colombia drug lord extradited to US

Juan Carlos Ramirez Abadia moved from Brazil to US to face racketeering charges.

ramirez abadia
Ramirez Abadia said he didn't want to be extradited to Colombia as he feared for his life [AFP]

According to the indictment, the cartel exported more than $10bn worth of cocaine from Colombia to the US between 1990 and 2004.

Sao Paulo arrest

Ramirez Abadia, 45, was arrested a year ago in Sao Paulo, where Brazilian authorities found him living in luxury with his family and running a drug ring reaching across continents.

The Colombian, nicknamed “Lollipop,” had sought extradition to the US, saying he feared for his life if he was returned to his home country. He underwent plastic surgery to alter his appearance and avoid being identified.

Colombia last year seized $400 million in property, including a Caribbean island, from the drug lord.

Confiscated goods that had belonged to Ramirez Abadia and his wife, including vintage port and a vast shoe collection, were sold at a Sao Paulo auction in April.

Investigations in the US may reveal new drug trafficking routes as well as funds belonging to the cartel that could be confiscated by the US and Brazilian governments, Tuma said.

Source: News Agencies