Colombia's most wanted drug lord Otoniel captured

[Judi Lynn]

1. 'You beat me': Colombia's most-wanted drug lord caught

By Luis Jaime Acosta and Oliver Griffin

October 25, 2021
1:24 AM CDT
Last Updated an hour ago

3 minute read

Dairo Antonio Usuga, known as Otoniel, was caught by Colombia's armed forces during an operation in a rural area of Colombia's Uraba region, Antioquia province, which involved more than 500 members of Colombia's special forces and 22 helicopters, officials said on Saturday.

Otoniel is accused of exporting hundreds of tonnes of cocaine each year, while President Ivan Duque said on Saturday he is also responsible for killing police officers, recruiting minors and sexually abusing children.

Colombia's government will file a petition on Monday with the Andean country's Supreme Court to extradite Otoniel to the United States, Justice Minister Wilson Ruiz told Reuters on Sunday, adding the process could take four weeks to complete.

"Extradition awaits all those who commit international crimes," Defense Minister Diego Molano told journalists in Necocli, close to where Otoniel, 50, was captured.

More:
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/colombias-priority-is-extradite-drug-lord-otoniel-united-states-sources-2021-10-24/