Pablo Escobar’s Partner Carlos Lehder Arrested and Released in Colombia
Carlos Lehder, partner of Pablo Escobar, was arrested in Colombia on drug trafficking charges but released three days later when a court ruled his sentence had expired. His criminal background includes prior convictions and a life sentence reduced by cooperating with authorities. After serving time in the US, Lehder attempted to visit relatives, resulting in his latest detention.
Carlos Lehder, a notorious associate of the late drug lord Pablo Escobar, was arrested in Colombia on March 28, following his arrival at Bogota airport. Authorities charged him with drug and arms trafficking. However, just three days later, on March 31, the court ruled that the charges were invalid due to the expiration of the sentence he was facing, leading to his prompt release.
Lehder, the son of a German immigrant, commenced his criminal endeavors in the 1970s while residing with relatives in New York. His familiarity with the English language and his extensive network helped him secure lucrative cocaine markets for the Medellin cartel, where he became a significant ally to Escobar.
His criminal history is marked by a conviction in 1995 for drug trafficking, while he was already serving a sentence in the United States. Subsequently, he received a life sentence, which he later negotiated down to 30 years by cooperating with authorities against Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega. By 2019, his Colombian sentence lapsed, and he was released from US prison in 2020.
After his release, Lehder did not immediately return to Colombia but sought to reconnect with relatives. Upon his arrival on March 28, immigration officials apprehended him due to outstanding drug trafficking and arms smuggling charges. Despite this, he was released when a Colombian court determined that the applicable drug trafficking sentence had expired.
Carlos Lehder’s recent arrest and swift release highlight the complexities of legal proceedings concerning drug trafficking charges in Colombia. Despite a history marked by significant criminal activity and previous convictions, the expiration of his sentences has allowed him to avoid further legal repercussions, raising questions about the efficacy of the judicial system in handling such cases.
Original Source: unn.ua
