8 More Indicted in Cocaine Smuggling Scheme

Eight reputed members of Colombia’s Cali cocaine cartel, including two believed to be kingpins, were indicted here Friday on federal drug charges.

The eight were charged in connection with a scheme to smuggle tons of cocaine into the United States through Tijuana. Officials identified brothers Jaime Orjuela-Caballero, 50, and Gilberto Orjuela-Caballero, 53, as kingpins. Both live in Colombia but no extradition proceedings are expected.

“At the present, the Colombian government is not extraditing any of its citizens,” said Assistant U.S. Atty. Edward C. Weiner. “We’re hopeful, from time to time, that policy may change.”

Under the code name Operation Olympic Snow, agents from several federal agencies have been attempting to curb the flow of cocaine into the Southwest through the use of wiretaps and undercover agents.

The eight indicted Friday join five others indicted in the case in recent weeks. One has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.

Eight of the 13 are fugitives, and the others are being held in Los Angeles, Houston and San Diego.

According to the indictment, the Cali cartel hired associates in San Diego and Tijuana to help with the plot, which included sending some of the cocaine through Guatemala and then across the U.S. border in trucks equipped with secret compartments.

Agents seized several cars, a home in Chula Vista and $239,435 in cash. Weiner said the investigation is continuing and more indictments are possible.

The Orjuela-Caballero brothers are cousins of Gilberto and Miguel Rodriguez, the reputed godfathers of the Cali cartel, said to be one of the world’s largest cocaine operations.

Two years ago, the Bush Administration asked the Colombian government to extradite the entire family, but the request was denied. In fact, after one cousin was arrested in Spain, the Colombian government interceded to prevent his extradition to the United States.

In Cali, the Orjuela-Caballero brothers and their cousins often sponsor concerts and sporting events and play the role of successful international businessmen.