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26/03/2009
UK's First Extradition From Colombia
The first Colombian national to be extradited from his home country to face trial in the UK arrived at Heathrow yesterday afternoon.
Officers from the Serious Organised Crime Agency escorted the unnamed man. They had flown to Colombia to take him into custody.
He was charged at Heathrow Police Station with 11 offences of money laundering linked to drug supply in the UK and was due to appear at the Central London Court today.
The case will be prosecuted by the Organised Crime Division of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
This is believed to be the first time the UK's extradition treaty with Colombia, which was signed in 1888, has been used.
The development follows close working between SOCA, the Colombian authorities, and the CPS, which submitted and prepared the extradition documentation.
Director General of SOCA Bill Hughes said the move marks a noteworthy development in the fight against the illegal cocaine trade.
"The cocaine trade devastates communities here and in Colombia, and supports other criminal activity. SOCA is working on many levels to undermine that trade and put the UK drugs market under stress.
"Together with partners we are intercepting more drugs before they can reach the UK.
"We are targeting the producers of cutting agents - the chemical cocktails that adulterate street level drugs and increase profits but also risks to the health of users."
He concluded: "This first extradition marks a significant step forward for the UK and Colombia.
"Together we are squeezing the traffickers from both ends of the chain. The message to criminals is the targeting the UK is a high risk business and will not be tolerated."
(JM/BMcC)
Officers from the Serious Organised Crime Agency escorted the unnamed man. They had flown to Colombia to take him into custody.
He was charged at Heathrow Police Station with 11 offences of money laundering linked to drug supply in the UK and was due to appear at the Central London Court today.
The case will be prosecuted by the Organised Crime Division of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
This is believed to be the first time the UK's extradition treaty with Colombia, which was signed in 1888, has been used.
The development follows close working between SOCA, the Colombian authorities, and the CPS, which submitted and prepared the extradition documentation.
Director General of SOCA Bill Hughes said the move marks a noteworthy development in the fight against the illegal cocaine trade.
"The cocaine trade devastates communities here and in Colombia, and supports other criminal activity. SOCA is working on many levels to undermine that trade and put the UK drugs market under stress.
"Together with partners we are intercepting more drugs before they can reach the UK.
"We are targeting the producers of cutting agents - the chemical cocktails that adulterate street level drugs and increase profits but also risks to the health of users."
He concluded: "This first extradition marks a significant step forward for the UK and Colombia.
"Together we are squeezing the traffickers from both ends of the chain. The message to criminals is the targeting the UK is a high risk business and will not be tolerated."
(JM/BMcC)
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