Colombia's Notorious Drug Trafficker, Otoniel, Accused of Shipping 'Outrageous' Amounts of Cocaine Into the U.S. - Prosecutor

Colombia's notorious drug trafficker, Otoniel, was accused by a top U.S. prosecutor on Thursday of shipping "outrageous" amounts of cocaine in the United States.

U.S. Attorney Breon Peace announced the accusation against Otoniel, with his real name Dairo Antonio Usuga, describing him as one of the most dangerous and most-wanted drug kingpins in the world, according to Al Jazeera.

Peace noted in a statement published by the Department of Justice that Otoniel was charged with a three-count superseding indictment with leading a continuing Criminal Enterprise from June 2003 through October 2021. Furthermore, his charges also include participating in an international conspiracy to manufacture and distribute cocaine, knowing and intending that the narcotics would be illegally imported into the U.S.

Otoniel, the principal leader of Clan De Golfo (CDG), and his cartel were accused to have imported a ton or more of cocaine from Colombia into the United States, for more than 40 times.

"Law enforcement has intercepted some of these shipments, including over 10 tons of cocaine seized on boats off the coast of Panama and within a jungle region in Colombia," Peace said.

Authorities did not mention the specific measurement of the cocaine that was imported by Otoniel and his cartel.

On Thursday, Otoniel pleaded not guilty to two charges, specifically engaging in continuing criminal enterprise and conspiring to manufacture and distribute cocaine.

Otoniel's lawyer, Arturo Hernandez, did not challenge the detention vested to his client.

Otoniel Extradited to the U.S. From Colombia

The accusation made by the U.S. attorney against Otoniel came a day after he was extradited into the United States from Colombia.

CNN reported that the drug kingpin's extradition was approved by a presidential decree after the Colombian State Council denied an appeal by several victims of Otoniel's alleged crimes who wanted him tried in the Colombian Court.

Colombia's President Ivan Duque described Otoniel's extradition into the U.S. as a "triumph of legacy."

"This criminal, murderer of social leaders, policemen, and rapist of minors, has what he deserves. When he completes his sentences in the US, we are waiting for him here," Duque said.

The president then threatened Otoniel that if he would not collaborate with Colombian authorities, he will receive harsher sanctions.

In a separate statement, Duque noted that Otoniel will come back to Colombia once he finished his sentences in the U.S. Duque furthered that the extradition of the Colombian drug kingpin shows that no one is above the law of their country and that the law will always be above any criminal.

Otoniel is currently held at Metropolitan Detention Center in New York City.

Clan De Golfo Boss Otoniel of Colombia

Dairo Antonio Usuga alias Otoniel is considered to be the boss of Clan De Golfo. The said cartel is known to be a powerful group that controls cocaine routes into Mexico and the United States.

Otoniel was first indicted in 2009 in Manhattan federal court over narcotics charges and for allegedly providing aid to a far-right paramilitary group designated as a terrorist organization by Washington.

The Brooklyn and Miami federal courts also accused him of importing at least 73 metric tons of cocaine between 2003 and 2014 into the U.S. through countries, including Venezuela, Panama, and Mexico.

Otoniel was captured by Colombian authorities in October in a rural area in the Uraba region of Antioquia province in Colombia.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Colombian Drug Lord 'Otoniel' Extradited To The U.S. - From NBC News