One of Colombia’s Infamous Drug Lords Deported Back to Colombia After 25 Years in US Prison
Fabio Ochoa, a former drug lord and key operator of the Medellin cartel, has been deported back to Colombia after serving 25 years of a 30-year prison sentence in the United States. The 67-year-old Ochoa, once one of Colombia’s most notorious drug traffickers, arrived at Bogota’s El Dorado airport on a deportation flight, wearing a gray sweatshirt and carrying his personal belongings in a plastic bag.
According to the US authorities, Ochoa and his brothers amassed a fortune in the late 1970s and early 1980s, earning him a spot on Forbes magazine’s list of billionaires. He was involved in the distribution of cocaine for the Medellin cartel, which was led by the notorious Pablo Escobar, who died in 1993.
Ochoa was first indicted in the US for his alleged role in the 1986 killing of American pilot Barry Seal, who flew cocaine flights for the Medellin cartel. However, he turned himself in to Colombian authorities in the early 1990s and was released from prison in 1996. He was arrested again in 1999 and extradited to the US, where he was convicted and sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Despite his reputation as a notorious drug trafficker, Ochoa’s name has largely faded from memory, with Mexican drug traffickers now taking center stage in the global drug trade. However, he has been featured in several Netflix series, including “Griselda” and “Narcos,” where he is depicted as a ruthless and cunning drug lord.
According to Richard Gregorie, a retired US assistant attorney who was part of the prosecution team that convicted Ochoa, the former drug lord will likely return to a life of luxury, thanks to his illicit drug proceeds.