Extradited Colombian Held Without Bail in U.S.

After the first extradition from Colombia under the current drug crackdown, an accused Colombian drug-money launderer appeared in court here Thursday and was ordered held without bail until he can be arraigned Monday.

In a federal court hearing marked by extraordinary security, Eduardo Martinez Romero, 36, asserted that he did not fully understand the charges against him. “At this time, I do not understand the charges that I am accused of and would like to have sufficient time to see what they deal with,” Martinez said through an interpreter.

Martinez, who said he understands little English, is accused of helping Colombia’s Medellin drug cartel launder millions of dollars. Federal prosecutors said they have given Martinez an English copy of the charges but not one in Spanish, indicating the haste of extradition.

Martinez wore a sea-green suede jacket and trousers of the same color and was ushered into the courtroom for the brief hearing without handcuffs.

Right to a Lawyer

When Magistrate Joel M. Feldman told him he had a right to a court-appointed lawyer if he could not afford one, Martinez replied: “I understand, and I am very grateful to you.”

Extremely sensitive metal detectors were used to screen everyone who entered the downtown building, and seven U.S. marshals were on duty inside the courtroom. A helicopter circled the building.

Martinez, described in court as a married rancher and farmer with an advanced marketing degree, was indicted here last March as part of the government’s massive “Operation Polar Cap” offensive against an alleged billion-dollar drug-money laundering ring.

A prosecution document accused Martinez of conspiring to disguise the source of drug money by transferring the proceeds through several banks. It said the money was first picked up in Los Angeles and deposited in a local Sanwa Bank branch, then wired through banks in Atlanta and New York to a Colombian bank branch in Panama, where Martinez got it.

Signal to Drug Lords

Although Martinez is not one of the Colombian “drug kingpins” identified by U.S. officials, his extradition is viewed as an important signal to the drug bosses.

Meeting with reporters after the court session, U.S. Attorney Robert L. Barr called the extradition a message that “you can’t hide--even overseas--and we’re getting serious.”

President Bush, in Baltimore to address the national convention of the American Legion, called the extradition “a strong signal of the courage and determination of” Colombian President Virgilio Barco Vargas and his government “to deal with the scourge which drugs are inflicting on all of us.”

The successful extradition of Martinez leaves Colombia with no formal U.S. requests for extradition of Colombian drug figures, although Atty. Gen. Dick Thornburgh announced Aug. 22 that he was furnishing Colombia with “a dozen-most-wanted list” of Colombian trafficking kingpins sought in this country.

David Runkel, Thornburgh’s chief spokesman, said Thursday that more than two weeks after Thornburgh’s announcement, papers seeking extradition of the 12 still are being prepared by U.S. attorneys in the districts where they were indicted. Because none of the 12 have been arrested, Runkel said, no extradition request is required at this time.

In addition, as many as 80 other alleged Colombian traffickers face charges in the United States. The Justice Department is reviewing their cases to determine whether to seek their extradition.

Martinez was arrested Aug. 20 in a Colombian crackdown that was triggered by the Aug. 18 assassination of Luis Carlos Galan, an outspoken foe of drug trafficking and a leading presidential candidate. The extradition was made possible by the reinstitution of an agreement between the United States and Colombia--an agreement that the Colombian Supreme Court had thrown out on a technicality two years ago.

Under the accord, U.S. officials have agreed not to seek penalties exceeding 30 years in prison.

The lawyer who represented Martinez on Thursday questioned the fairness of trying him amid this country’s heated anti-drug climate.

Defense Tactics

The attorney, Edward T. M. Garland of Atlanta, who said he came to represent Martinez after an out-of-town lawyer and a member of Martinez’s family telephoned him, previewed defense tactics in the case, saying: “I am sure that issues relating to the propriety of his removal (from Colombia) will be carefully examined. There will be major issues as to whether this man can obtain a fair trial in America at this time.”

He singled out Bush’s televised speech Tuesday night, citing the President’s “stated desire to have quick punishment.”

But U.S. Attorney Barr said, “I’d like to stress Mr. Martinez will be afforded all constitutional and legal rights afforded to any criminal defendant” and asserted that his office will try to expedite the proceedings.

Staff writers Ronald J. Ostrow, in Washington, and James Gerstenzang, in Baltimore, contributed to this story.