Fugitive Returned from Colombia to Face Drug Charges

RALEIGH – United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that BERNAVE MILLAN-RASCON, 41, of Mexico, was extradited to the United States from Colombia, South America to face charges of Conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and Possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.  A federal 

charging MILLAN-RASCON was returned on October 18, 2018.

According to publicly filed 

in federal court, it is alleged that MILLAN-RASCON and others have been involved in the international trafficking of cocaine from Mexico into various parts of the United States, including locations in the Eastern District of North Carolina.  Specifically, it is alleged that, from Mexico, MILLAN-RASCON had been directing the smuggling of kilogram quantities of cocaine into the United States using hidden areas of trucks.

According to publicly filed documents, in December 2016, members of the Raleigh District Office (DO) High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Group conducted an investigation resulting in the seizure of approximately 16 kilograms of cocaine, approximately $140,000 United States currency and two firearms.  Information provided by the DEA Dallas Field Division and DEA Houston Field Division, led the Raleigh DO HIDTA Group to begin a communication intercept investigation, as authorized by a federal district judge. 

Based upon the investigation, it is alleged in publicly filed documents that in December 2016, MILLAN-RASCON arranged with Carlos Miranda Lopez for the delivery of cocaine to the Eastern North Carolina – specifically, to the residence of Malcolm Hird.  Law enforcement observed a flatbed trailer delivered to Hird’s residence and continued surveillance on the trailer.  Law enforcement secured the area and obtained federal search warrants for the trailer, Hird’s residence, and Lopez’ residence.  The subsequent searches resulted in the recovery of approximately 16 kilograms of cocaine on Hird’s premises including 5 kilograms of cocaine still secreted in the axle of the trailer.  A search of Lopez’ residence resulted in the seizure of approximately $140,000 in currency and two firearms, an SKS 7.62 rifle, and .45 caliber Springfield 1911 semi-automatic handgun.

Lopez pled guilty on March 20, 2017 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and sentenced on September 7, 2017 to 120 months of imprisonment.

Hird pled guilty on March 20, 2017 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and sentenced on September 7, 2017 to 120 months of imprisonment.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment, and associated publicly filed documents, are merely accusations.  MILLAN-RASCON is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

This prosecution is part of an extensive investigation by the United States Attorney’s Office’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.

The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this case and the United States Marshal’s Service assisted with the extradition.  The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs of the Department’s Criminal Division provided significant support in securing the defendant’s extradition from Colombia.  Assistant United States Attorney Scott Lemmon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.