Replies

http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/auc

October 6, 2008

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://houston.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel08/ho10062008.htm

DEFENDANT EXTRADITED FROM COLOMBIA PLEADS GUILTY IN COCAINE FOR ARMS DEAL

(Diego Alberto Ruiz-Arroyave, aka El Primo, 46, a Colombian national extradited to the United States for his role in a $25 million arms for cocaine deal, has pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to provide material support and resources to the AUC, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today. The AUC is a paramilitary organization originally designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the United States Secretary of State on Sept. 10, 2001. Ruiz was extradited to the United States on May 12, 2008.

According to pleadings filed in this case, on Oct. 14, 2004, a superseding indictment was returned by a federal grand jury arising from Operation White Terror which added Javier Conrado Alvarez Correa, aka Javier Alvarez, and Ruiz-Arroyave as defendants charged with conspiracy to provide material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 2339B.

The focus of Operation White Terror was a $25 million arms-for-cocaine transaction involving the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC). Ruiz-Arroyave and Alvarez were the key intermediaries between a cooperating defendant and the leader of the AUC’s Centaurus Block, Miguel Arroyave Ruiz. Ruiz directed the cooperating defendant to coordinate the exchange of weapons with his cousin, Ruiz-Arroyave, and to communicate with Ruiz through Alvarez. The cooperating defendant then had various discussions with Alvarez and Ruiz-Arroyave to work out the details and logistics of the transaction. According to press reports, Ruiz was killed by his own troops on Sept. 19, 2004, for participating in talks to demobilize the AUC. A warrant remains outstanding for the arrest of Alvarez, who is also a Colombian national.

Ruiz-Arroyave faces a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine at his sentencing which has been set for Jan. 8, 2009 at 9:45 a.m.

This case is the result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation conducted by the Houston offices of the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Vaden.