Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Extradition of Colombian Paramilitary Leader to the United States on Narcotics Trafficking Charges

NOV 20 -- (Manhattan, NY) JOHN P. GILBRIDE, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's New York Field Division ("DEA"), PREET BHARARA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and JAMES T. HAYES, JR., the Special Agent-in-Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Homeland Security Investigations in New York ("ICE HSI"), announced the extradition of EDER PEDRAZA-PENA, a/k/a "Don Ramon", on charges that he conspired to import cocaine into the United States and to engage in maritime narcotics smuggling. PEDRAZA-PENA, 45, a citizen of Colombia and former commander in a right-wing Colombian paramilitary drug organization, arrived in the United States Thursday, November 18, 2010 and will make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge FRANK MAAS on Friday, November 19, 2010. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge RICHARD J. HOLWELL.

DEA Special Agent-in-Charge JOHN P. GILBRIDE said: "Eder Pedraza-Pena is charged with smuggling tons of cocaine into the United States and today he will face the consequences of his illegal enterprise. Time and time again, law enforcement investigates and identifies those individuals behind the scenes who are responsible for organizing illegal actions such as drug trafficking. This extradition is a statement for international, local, state and federal law enforcement that we will not tolerate drug trafficking in our communities and will continue to fully identify and investigate those who make millions off the sale of poison."

Manhattan U.S. Attorney PREET BHARARA said: "As we have charged, Pedraza-Pena was a ringleader of one of the most vicious and deadly narco-terrorist groups in South America. He bankrolled his organization, in part, by allegedly smuggling their poison into the United States. Today's extradition demonstrates once again that we will work seamlessly with our law enforcement partners both here and around the world to thwart those who are exporting their illegal trade and to prosecute them to the full extent of the law."