The head of the Clan del Golfo, the Colombian Dairo Antonio Úsuga David, better known as Otoniel and described by the US authorities as “one of the most dangerous capos in the world”, pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges before a judge in New York on Thursday. York.
Dressed in an orange uniform and without handcuffs, the defendant answered Judge Vera Scanlon’s questions laconically, with just a “yes, ma’am.” The magistrate ordered him to remain in prison due to his “significant drug trafficking activity” and “significant activity with violence.”
Extradited Wednesday to the United States from Colombia, Otoniel was described by senior Justice Department officials as the head of Colombia’s “most powerful” paramilitary and drug trafficking group.
Breon Peace, US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said at the conference prior to the court hearing that Úsuga David is responsible for having trafficked huge amounts of cocaine and for hiring hitmen to murder, kidnap and torture his victims, including Colombian military and police.
The Clan del Golfo is one of the largest cocaine distributors in the world and once had more than 6,000 members. “Úsuga David had more employees than the New York and Miami police departments combined,” Peace said.
The Colombian faced three charges, but during today’s hearing, Judge Scanlon said they became two: managing a criminal enterprise continuously and participating in an international criminal association to manufacture and distribute cocaine. If convicted of the first count, it would be life in prison.
His lawyer, Arturo Hernández, said during the hearing that he agreed not to ask for his client’s release and that he hoped he would go to trial by jury.
The next hearing has been set for June 2.
Associated Press/OnCuba.
