Defendant Is Allegedly A Leader Of An International Drug Trafficking Organization

BROOKLYN, NY – Loretta E. Lynch, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Peter T. Edge, Special Agent-in-Charge, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Newark, announced that Nestor Ramon Caro Chaparro, a Colombian national and allegedly one of the leaders of an organization that sent thousands of kilograms of cocaine from Brazil to the United States, was extradited from Brazil to face an indictment charging him with being a member of an international drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracy. The defendant will be arraigned today at 2:00 P.M. before United States Chief Magistrate Judge Steven M. Gold, at the U.S. Courthouse, 271 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, New York.

Caro Chaparro had been a fugitive since August 6, 2001, when he was indicted by a federal grand jury in Brooklyn. The State Department, under its Narcotics Rewards Program, offered up to $5 million for information leading to the defendant’s apprehension. According to the State Department’s website and the government’s indictment, Caro Chaparro has engaged in narcotics trafficking since the late 1980’s, and between 1998 and 2001, his organization was responsible for smuggling into the United States more than 5 metric tons of cocaine, wrapped in rolls of paper and concealed in sea containers. On April 16, 2010, the Brazilian Federal Police arrested Caro Chaparro in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and he was extradited to the United States on February 24, 2011. Caro Chaparro had been listed as one of ICE’s Top Ten Most Wanted Fugitives.

“Caro Chaparro’s extradition demonstrates that neither time nor geography will prevent law enforcement in the United States and abroad from locating and apprehending those facing international drug trafficking charges,” stated United States Attorney Lynch. “This prosecution marks the culmination of a ten-year effort to bring the leaders of this organization to justice.” Ms. Lynch expressed her grateful appreciation the Brazilian government for its assistance in this case.

ICE/HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Edge stated, “This alleged Colombian drug trafficker’s extradition to face the charges of importing large quantities of cocaine from Brazil into the United States and operating a large-scale money laundering operation should be warning to all who would engage in narcotics smuggling – HSI has a worldwide network of law enforcement partners and together we will track down and bring you justice.”

The charges in the indictment are merely allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bonnie S. Klapper.

 

 

---