U.S. and Colombia Make Strike Against Colombian Drug Organization

On June 12, 2002 Asa Hutchinson, Director of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), announced a successful strike against an international drug-producing ring in which twenty-five defendants were arrested. Among the persons arrested in the Garcia-Giraldo organization were the head, Colombian national Jose Jairo Garcia-Giraldo and two lieutenants. The U.S. Government is now seeking extradition of the three to the U.S. During the investigation and prior to June 12, sixteen arrests have been made and 46 kilograms of heroin, 21 kilograms of cocaine, and a half million U.S. have been seized. U.S. authorities accused the group of smuggling 10 to 20 kilograms of heroin, with a street value of $1.5 to $3 million, into the U.S. each month. The U.S. is requesting the extradition of Jose Jairo Garcia-Ciraldo and his brother Fabio, who allegedly coordinated shipments to the U.S. through Ecuador and the recruiting of couriers. The U.S. has also requested the extradition of Juan Carlos Giraldo Perez, who is alleged to have overseen the package of the organization?s heroin.