It will be a matter of a few days before the extradition of alias Otoniel to the United States is completed: Director of Police

The Supreme Court of Justice on Wednesday endorsed the extradition of Dairo Antonio Úsuga David, alias Otoniel, the top leader of the Gulf Clan, to the United States, where he is required for crimes related to drug trafficking. In response to the news, the director of the police, General Jorge Luis Vargas, assured that in a few days the respective transfer will take place.

“It will be a matter of a few days before this mandate of the Supreme Court and the President of the Republic to send it to courts in the United States, where it is required by three courts in that country, for crimes related to large tons of drug trafficking,” commented the director. In turn, he stressed that alias Otoniel had business with the most powerful cartels in the world.

General Vargas recalled that Dairo Antonio Úsuga was captured on October 23 for being responsible for the forced displacement of communities, multiple killings against civilians and members of the security forces, abuse of minors and illegal recruitment. “He tried to escape and delay a process that is ratified today thanks to the Court's decision in law,” added the uniformed.

To prevent the ringleader from escaping, the senior officer confirmed that security measures will be taken at the place of detention of alias Otoniel. “Very specific instructions have been given to the director of La Dijín, to the National Police with specialized units to increase all security and surveillance measures,” said Vargas.

Additional measures to be taken by the Police include the support of special units, technological means and coordination with the Military Forces while air operations are carried out in areas where the Gulf Clan intended to initiate the escape of the captured person.

The general also welcomed the Court's decision by highlighting that it is “great news” for the fight against drug trafficking. “We are sure that he will pay a long sentence in the United States and then he will have to come to Colombia or any court in another country to pay for his crimes,” Vargas said, stating that they hope he will never get out of jail.

For his part, the Minister of the Interior, Daniel Palacios called the news a “clear and forceful message from the Supreme Court of Justice”. The chief of portfolio shared a similar position to that of the director of the police: “this man, as said, will have to pay for his crimes in a prison in the United States and the message here is clear, he who makes it pays, and no matter how much he thinks he is hiding, he gets here, in Venezuela or anywhere in the world.”

Otoniel and the quest to stop his extradition

Alias Otoniel — who even registered 122 arrest warrants and seven security measures — sought to curb his extradition to the United States by requesting to be placed in the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) as a civilian third party to the armed conflict.

The request was denied because of his inability to demonstrate such involvement under this figure; however, after his capture and as a witness, he has provided accounts of his role in the conflict to the JEP, the Truth Commission and the Search Unit. In the delivery of his testimony, the difficulty of collecting his statements was highlighted due to security obstacles.

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