Colombian National Sentenced for Conspiring to Import Cocaine into the United States

NORFOLK, Va. – German Dario Brand Piedrahita, 49, of Medellin, Colombia, was sentenced today to 144 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to manufacture and distribute cocaine for the purpose of importation into the United States.
Dana J. Boente, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Karl C. Colder, Special Agent in Charge for Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Office; and John S. Adams, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after the plea was accepted by U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson.
Piedrahita pleaded guilty on September, 23, 2014, to conspiracy to manufacture and distribute cocaine for the purpose of importation into the United States.  According to court documents, Piedrahita, an associate of the Bacrim Los Urabeños, admitted to his role in the production of large quantities of cocaine in Colombia, and the subsequent transport of the cocaine to other members of the conspiracy for the eventual importation into the United States.  Within the conspiracy, Brand Piedrahita was involved in purchasing cocaine base, producing cocaine, transporting loads of cocaine to the Colombian coast, and coordinating payment for various loads of cocaine.  Brand Piedrahita also assisted in the construction of a cocaine production laboratory in the jungles of Colombia.  All told, Brand Piedrahita was involved in the production and shipment of hundreds of kilograms of cocaine throughout the life of the conspiracy and was held accountable today for the production and distribution of 325 kilograms of cocaine.
This case was investigated by the Norfolk Resident Office and Bogota, Colombia Country Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Colombian National Police.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys V. Kathleen Dougherty and Kevin M. Comstock are prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.  Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:13-cr-122.