Colombia extradites 8 drug traffickers to US

ISTANBUL/BOGOTA, Colombia

Colombian authorities announced Wednesday the extradition of eight drug traffickers to the US following their capture in security operations.

The individuals, who were wanted by the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida, were handed over to Interpol by Colombian authorities, according to local media reports.

Among those extradited was Henry Loaiza Montoya, the son of former Cali cartel leader Henry Loaiza-Ceballos.

Colombian police said the suspects were part of an international drug trafficking network and were responsible for shipping tons of cocaine.

President Gustavo Petro acknowledged the security forces’ efforts, noting that those extradited had links to Mexican cartels and armed groups.

He expressed discomfort with transferring Colombian citizens to another country’s jurisdiction but justified the decision by emphasizing the harm these individuals have inflicted on society.

Henry Loaiza-Ceballos, known as “El Alacran” (The Scorpion), is one of Colombia’s most notorious drug traffickers. He later became the leader of the criminal organization “Los Magicos.”