Carlos Lehder: Arrested and Released in Colombia, Past Sentences Expired

Carlos Lehder, a notorious associate of Pablo Escobar, was arrested in Colombia for drug trafficking but released after three days due to a court ruling that his sentence had expired. Lehder had a long criminal history and had previously served substantial prison time in both Colombia and the U.S. His recent visit to Colombia led to his detention at the airport, underscoring ongoing legal issues related to his past offenses.

Carlos Lehder, a former partner of Pablo Escobar, was arrested in Colombia recently on drug and arms trafficking charges but was released after three days as the court determined that his sentence had expired. He was detained at Bogota airport on March 28 upon his arrival after a prolonged absence. The authorities indicated that he remained wanted for these charges; however, the court’s ruling held that his earlier sentence had lapsed.

Lehder’s criminal trajectory began in the 1970s in New York. He became an instrumental figure for the Medellin cartel, leveraging his English proficiency and connections to expand cocaine distribution under Escobar’s guidance. His background includes being the son of a German immigrant who settled in Colombia in the 1920s.

Historically, Lehder faced significant legal issues, including a life sentence in the U.S. for drug trafficking. This sentence was later commuted due to cooperation with law enforcement, resulting in a total of 24 years served in Colombia. By 2019, his Colombian imprisonment term ended, followed by his release from U.S. custody in 2020 after completing a substantial portion of his sentence.

Upon his recent release from U.S. prison, Lehder did not initially return to Colombia but eventually traveled back to visit family. His arrest at the airport occurred as immigration officials suggested that he remained pursued by law enforcement for drug-related offenses. The judicial ruling following his detention affirmed that his previous drug trafficking conviction had expired.

In a related update, another associate of Escobar, Fabio Ochoa, has returned to Colombia after serving two decades in a U.S. prison and plans to reside in Medellin with his family.

Carlos Lehder’s recent arrest and quick release highlight legal complexities surrounding expired sentences. As a key figure in the Medellin cartel, his life of crime has seen him navigate various legal challenges, ultimately concluding with his recent judgment in Colombia. The situation sheds light on the ongoing implications of past actions by notorious figures involved in narcotics trafficking. Additionally, the return of other associates from prison suggests a resurgence of old connections within criminal networks.

Original Source: unn.ua