Key Takeaways:
– Fabio Ochoa, a past key operator of the Medellín cartel, has been deported to Colombia after serving 25 years in a US prison.
– There were no warrants for his arrest in his home country, and he was promptly released to join his family.
– Ochoa and his brothers gained significant wealth from the cocaine trade during the 1970s and 1980s, earning a place on Forbes billionaires’ list.
– Despite his role in global drug trafficking, his name has diminished as Mexican cartels dominate the contemporary drug trade.
– Ochoa has been featured in popular Netflix series such as ‘Griselda’ and ‘Narcos.’
Fabio Ochoa Arrives in Colombia
Prominent Colombian drug lord Fabio Ochoa, who once held a commanding role with the notorious Medellín cartel, has arrived in his home country after a 25-year stint in a United States prison. Deported on Monday, Ochoa was met at Bogota’s El Dorado airport by migrational officials in bulletproof vests, sporting a grey sweatshirt with his personal belongings in tow. Contrary to speculation, no police were seen at the scene, prepping to apprehend him.
Deported for a New Beginning
Upon Ochoa’s arrival, Colombia’s national immigration agency publicly confirmed that the drug lord was released so “he could join his family.” Following the successful verification of his fingerprints and a database check affirming no outstanding warrants against him, he was set free. At 67, Ochoa, with the aid of his elder brothers, made a fortune when cocaine infiltrated the US shores during the late 1970s and early 1980s. In 1987, their immense wealth earned them a coveted spot in the Forbes billionaire’s list.
Life in the Medellín Cartel
Whilst living in Miami, the Colombian national commanded a distribution hub for the cocaine cartel, previously overseen by the infamous Pablo Escobar, who later lost his life to a shootout with Medellín authorities in 1993. Ochoa’s initial indictment in the US was tied to his alleged participation in 1986 murder of Barry Seal. Seal, an American pilot who once flew cocaine for the Medellín cartel, later became an informant for the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Imprisonment and Deportation
Ochoa, along with his brothers Juan David and Jorge Luis, surrendered to Colombian authorities in the early 1990s, exploiting a deal that absolved them from US extradition. Released from prison in 1996, Ochoa’s freedom was short-lived. In 1999, he was again taken into custody for alleged drug trafficking. He was extradited to the US two years later, following an indictment linked to him and 40 other individuals in a drug smuggling conspiracy.
Being the only one to proceed to trial, his choice consequently led to a 30-year sentence. His fellow defendants accepted lighter sentences by cooperating with governing authorities. Over the years, Ochoa’s notoriety dwindled as Mexican drug cartels assumed the forefront of global drug trafficking.
Popular Depictions of Ochoa
Ochoa’s storied past in the cartel life saw him featured in Netflix’s ‘Griselda,’ where he initially wrestled with Griselda Blanco for dominance of Miami’s drug market, before aligning forces with the renowned drug trafficker. The drug lord’s portrayal also graced Netflix’s ‘Narcos,’ painting a picture of him as the youngest son of an elite Medellín family involved in ranching and horse breeding.
US prosecutor, Richard Gregorie, who was instrumental in Ochoa’s conviction, anticipates the ex-drug lord will have a comfortable return home, as authorities could not seize all his illicit drug proceeds. “He won’t be retiring a poor man, that’s for sure,” Gregorie commented. The return of the notorious Fabio Ochoa to Colombian soil marks a significant chapter in the continuing narrative of global drug trafficking and its consequential repercussions.