Tampa Jury Finds Accused Colombian Drug Lord Guilty of Cocaine Trafficking

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Friday, December 1, 2006
Author: 
Bruce Zagaris
Volume: 
22
Issue: 
12
491
Abstract: 
On October 25, 2006, at the conclusion of a three-month trial, a jury in the U.S. District Court in Tampa found Joaquin Mario Valencia-Trujillo guilty after three days of deliberations. During the trial prosecutors attempted to convince jurors that Valencia-Trujillo had formerly been one of the most powerful drug lords in the world. Prosecutors alleged that he was a leader in the notorious Cali Cartel, which exported hundreds, if not thousands, of tons of cocaine to the U.S. Defense counsel, in contrast, suggested that Valencia-Trujillo was an innocent, legitimate businessman. … [more]