Pubdate: Thu, 01 Feb 2007
Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL)
Copyright: 2007 Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Contact:  http://www.heraldtribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/398
Author: The Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

COLOMBIAN DRUG KINGPIN SENTENCED TO 40 YEARS IN PRISON

TAMPA, Fla. -- A Colombian drug kingpin was sentenced to 40 years in 
prison Thursday and must forfeit $110 million, authorities said.

Joaquin Mario Valencia-Trujillo, 49, was sentenced in federal court 
after being convicted in October on trafficking and money laundering 
charges, the Justice Department said.

Valencia-Trujillo was arrested in Bogota, Colombia, in January 2003 
and later extradited to Florida. He was arrested on charges of 
conspiracy to import cocaine, conspiracy to possess with intent to 
distribute cocaine and conspiracy to engage in money laundering.

During his trial, Valencia-Trujillo was described as the supplier of 
over 100 tons of cocaine annually to the United States since the 
early 1990s until his arrest.

"The Valencia-Trujillo case serves as another example of the 
cooperation and commitment of the United States and Colombia to the 
counterdrug effort," said U.S. Attorney Paul I. Perez. "The human 
misery and societal cost for which this defendant is responsible 
immeasurable. The punishment is well-deserved and long overdue."

Telephone messages left after hours at the offices of Valencia- 
Trujillo's attorneys were not immediately returned.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman