Carlos Lehder, Associate of Pablo Escobar, Released from Colombian Custody
Carlos Lehder, Pablo Escobar’s partner, was arrested in Colombia for drug and arms trafficking but was released three days later when a court ruled his sentence had expired. Originally convicted in the 1990s, his long history of incarceration includes time in both Colombia and the United States. Lehder was apprehended upon returning to Colombia to visit relatives.
Carlos Lehder, a notorious associate of Pablo Escobar, was arresed recently in Colombia due to allegations of drug and arms trafficking. However, he was released after three days when a court determined that the sentence for these offenses had expired. This incident occurred shortly after Lehder arrived at Bogota airport on March 28.
Lehder, the offspring of a German immigrant, embarked on his criminal journey in the 1970s while residing in New York. He significantly contributed to the Medellin cartel by utilizing his connections and fluency in English to expand the cocaine market, thus becoming a vital accomplice to Escobar.
His criminal history includes a 1995 conviction by Colombian authorities for drug trafficking while he was already incarcerated in an American prison. He was sentenced to life in prison but later reduced his sentence by providing information that led to the prosecution of Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega. Ultimately, he served a total of 30 years, with his sentence in Colombia concluding in 2019.
Following his release from American custody in 2020, after serving two-thirds of his sentence, Lehder did not initially return to Colombia. Nevertheless, he intended to visit family, leading to his detention upon arrival at the airport due to existing warrants against him for drug and arms trafficking. Ultimately, the court ruled on March 31 that his sentence in Colombia had expired, facilitating his release.
In summary, Carlos Lehder, a key figure in the Medellin cartel and associate of Pablo Escobar, was detained in Colombia but released shortly after due to an expired sentence. His extensive criminal background includes international drug trafficking and a significant history with law enforcement. This recent event highlights lingering legal repercussions for former cartel members as they navigate their past involvements in organized crime.
Original Source: unn.ua
