US and UK agencies were involved in the search. While arrest records have been lost, Escobar apparently sat in a Medellin prison for several months before his 20th birthday. 4, Ma Xiuqin: Ma Xiuqin is the largest female drug lord in China's top ten drug lords. Location: Colombia. He earned so much community support that capturing him in Kingston, Jamaica was a harrowing five-week ordeal with many casualties. 6. Escobar's victory over the judiciary was short-lived, with new president Virgilio Barco Vargas having quickly renewed his agreement with the United States. As of 2023, the single remaining fugitive of the 37 most-wanted drug . [34], On 4 July 2006, Virginia Vallejo, a television anchorwoman romantically involved with Escobar from 1983 to 1987, offered Attorney General Mario Iguarn her testimony in the trial against former Senator Alberto Santofimio, who was accused of conspiracy in the 1989 assassination of presidential candidate Luis Carlos Galn. [51] According to her son, Henao fell in love with Escobar "because of his naughty smile [and] the way he looked at [her]. He was known for violence and cruelty in eliminating rival gang members, the most infamous incident being the St. Valentines Day Massacre. Lehder is estimated to have spent $4.5 million on the island in total. In fact, it was while serving a prison sentence for selling stolen cars that Lehder decided that drug trafficking was his calling. The police tracked him down to Medelln on 5 March 1996. [35] He was recaptured by Colombian authorities in Cali in March 2003. It's hard to know now. According to Wikipedia: A drug lord, drug baron, kingpin or narcotrafficker is a type of crime boss, who is in charge of a drug-trafficking network, organization, or enterprise. Otoniel had used a network of rural safe houses to move around and evade the authorities, and did not use a phone, instead relying on couriers for communication. [31], In 2014, Roberto Escobar founded Escobar Inc with Olof K. Gustafsson and registered Successor-In-Interest rights for his brother Pablo Escobar in California, United States. [65] As of early 2014, 40 hippos have been reported to exist in Puerto Triunfo, Antioquia Department, from the original four belonging to Escobar. [21] Lehder's ultimate scheme was to revolutionize the cocaine trade by transporting the drug to the United States, using small aircraft from Norman's Cay. Declaring an end to a series of previous violent acts meant to pressure authorities and public opinion, Escobar surrendered to Colombian authorities in 1991. Members of the Cali Cartel even replayed their recordings of her conversations with Pablo for their wives to demonstrate how a woman should behave. He gained plenty of popularity by sponsoring charities and sports but eventually undermined his own reputation with excessive and often indiscriminate violence. De Berdouare would later hire a documentary film crew and professional treasure hunters to search the edifice before and after demolition, for anything related to Escobar or his cartel. . [36], Colombian kingpin Jose Evaristo Linares-Castillo was arrested in 2013. [8], Illegal cocaine trafficking from Colombia is routed through Venezuela to the northern part of Mexico and then further to the United States. [41][42] These events led to further investigation into the siege that resulted with the conviction of a high-ranking former colonel and a former general, later sentenced to 30 and 35 years in prison, respectively, for the forced disappearance of the detained after the siege. All were murdered during Mexico's ongoing cocaine wars. Al Capone, John Gotti, Frank Lucas, and Whitey Bulger are just some of the gangsters, drug dealers, and hitmen whose names are notorious from coast to coast. But El Tiempo newspaper said that authorities managed to pinpoint the location where he was eventually captured two weeks ago. The Famous People. In May 1976, Escobar and several of his men were arrested and found in possession of 39 pounds (18kg) of white paste after returning to Medelln with a heavy load from Ecuador. His life inspired numerous books and films. Gilbertos nephew, William Rodriguez Abada, spoke out against the Netflix series Narcos, which he said misrepresented the true facts and tarnished his reputation as a result. When he later bought fifteen bigger airplanes (including a Learjet) and six helicopters, he decommissioned the original plane and hung it above the gate of his ranch at Hacienda Napoles. Legends state that he bought drugs from the "Golden Triangle" and smuggled them into the U.S. using the coffins of servicemen. They make their money by smuggling illegal substances and terrorizing just about anyone less powerful than themselves. In the 1982 Colombian parliamentary election, Escobar was elected as an alternate member of the Chamber of Representatives as part of the Liberal Alternative movement. Soon, the demand for cocaine was skyrocketing in the United States and Escobar organized more smuggling shipments, routes, and distribution networks in South Florida, California, and other parts of the United States. Worth $1 billion, he's been hiding out since 2001, when he escaped a maximum-security prison in Mexico by bribing . Otoniel is a household name and has been hugely powerful, especially in the north west of the country. 29 Apr 2023 15:21:39 Drug Traffickers and Their Nicknames: A Guide. On 7 February 1990 Barrera was arrested on drug charges by Colombian authorities. In 2012, serious action was initiated by the Venezuelan, Colombian, and U.S. authorities working together to apprehend the drug lords in Venezuela. And the comparisons with Pablo Escobar are understandable. In late 1986, Colombia's Supreme Court declared the previous extradition treaty illegal due to being signed by a presidential delegation, not the president. Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria was born on 1 December 1949 in Rionegro, Antioquia Department. In 1972, Barnes formed The Council, a seven-man African-American organized crime syndicate that controlled a significant part of the heroin trade in the Harlem area of New York City. [69] In 2018, National Geographic published another article on the hippos which found disagreement among environmentalists on whether they were having a positive or negative impact, but that conservationists and locals particularly those in the tourism industry were mostly in support of their continued presence. He was a joint leader of the Cali Cartel alongside his brother, Miguel Rodrguez Orejuela, before beginning his 30-year prison sentence in the United States. Colombia's security forces labelled the gang as the country's most powerful criminal organisation, while authorities in the US describe it as "heavily armed [and] extremely violent". [79] Details about them, and additional films about Escobar, are listed below. Before he gave himself up, the extradition of Colombian citizens to the United States had been prohibited by the newly approved Colombian Constitution of 1991. While bribing and murdering several judges, in the fall of 1985, the wanted Escobar requested the Colombian government to allow his conditional surrender without extradition to the United States. Known . In the 2007 film American Gangster, Barnes is portrayed by Cuba Gooding, Jr. Zhenli Ye Gon Part of . He was the third of seven children and grew up in poverty, in the neighboring city of Medellin. [62], After Escobar's death, the ranch, zoo and citadel at Hacienda Npoles were given by the government to low-income families under a law called Extincin de Dominio (Domain Extinction). [32] Extradited in 2013 from Colombia to the United States, Barrera pleaded guilty in federal court to a number of charges and in 2016 was sentenced to 35 years in prison and a $10 million fine. [9] Another was a Dominican and naturalized American citizen, a former U.S. Marine who was accused by Venezuelan president Hugo Chvez of being a U.S. Mired in violence, the "Boss of Bosses" originally worked for the notorious drug lord El Chapo, before he turned on the kingpin and had El Chapo's son murdered by a hit team of around 15 gunmen. There's no doubt this is seen as a coup by Colombian authorities - they've been trying to capture Otoniel for several years now. [58] In 2014, Marroqun published Pablo Escobar, My Father under his birth name. [2023 Business Model]. The gang, which operates in many provinces and has extensive international connections, is engaged in drug and people smuggling, illegal gold mining and extortion. 5, Yuanlunzi: Yuanlunzi, known as "general", has secretly made drugs in Myanmar for 7 years. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. [41] As of late, Guillermo Alejandro of the Mesa Family has been pinpointed as one of the main suppliers of mainland Europe. [37] Henry de Jesus Lopez (nicknamed "Mi Sangre", meaning "My Blood"), reported at the time to be the country's most-wanted cocaine dealer, was arrested in 2012 in Argentina. Frank Lucas (September 9, 1930 - May 30, 2019) was an American drug trafficker who operated in Harlem during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Drug barons of Colombia refer to some of the most notable drug lords which operate in illegal drug trafficking in Colombia.Several of them, notably Pablo Escobar, were long considered among the world's most dangerous and most wanted men by U.S. intelligence. Known for his use of sophisticated tunnels to smuggle illegal drugs from Mexico into the United States, he gained the image of a folk hero in the narcotics world. 2023 BBC. [45] In her book, Amando a Pablo, odiando a Escobar (Loving Pablo, Hating Escobar), she had accused several politicians, including Colombian presidents Alfonso Lpez Michelsen, Ernesto Samper and lvaro Uribe of having links to drug cartels. Iguarn acknowledged that, although Vallejo had contacted his office on 4 July, the judge had decided to close the trial on 9 July, several weeks before the prospective closing date. Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria (, Spanish: [palo emiljo eskoa aija]; 1 December 1949 2 December 1993) was a Colombian drug lord and narcoterrorist who founded and was the sole leader of the Medelln Cartel. Video, The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure, BACKGROUND: Colombia's hunt for an elusive drug lord, Trump mistrial request denied in NY rape lawsuit, MasterChef Australia host Jock Zonfrillo dies, DeSantis-backed board votes to countersue Disney, Explosion derails train in Russian border region, US rock band Aerosmith announce farewell tour, Russia launches missile attacks on Ukraine, Father tells how gunman opened fire on Texas home, Street piano confiscated as public 'break rules', NFL player's daughter, aged two, drowns in pool. When we talk of drug lords, probably the first name to crosses our minds would be of El Chapothe most significant drug lord in history! Dubdogz's "Pablo Escobar" (feat. In addition to his litany of other questionable activities, Kaskar has been suspected and accused of financing Pakistani Taliban militants, although Pakistan claims no knowledge of his whereabouts and evidence is scarce. Originally a modest housewife in Naples, she entered the mob life when her husband, Nicalo Pianese, was riddled with bullets and killed in 2006. Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria (/skbr/; Spanish:[palo eskoa]; 1 December 1949 2 December 1993) was a Colombian drug lord, narcoterrorist, and a politician, who was the founder and sole leader of the Medelln Cartel. Escobar managed to change the first judge in the lawsuit and bribed the second judge, so he was released along with other prisoners. Born in Rionegro and raised in Medelln, Escobar studied briefly at Universidad Autnoma Latinoamericana of Medelln, but left without graduating; he instead began engaging in criminal activity, selling illegal cigarettes and fake lottery tickets, as well as participating in motor vehicle theft. Although Escobar fought back, he announced his retirement from politics in January 1984. Escobar had also planned to construct a Greek-style citadel near it, and though construction of the citadel was started, it was never finished. Dubbed "The King of Cocaine", Escobar is the wealthiest criminal in history, having amassed an estimated net worth of US$30 billion by the time of his death (equivalent to $58 billion as of 2018), while his cartel monopolized the cocaine trade into the United States in the 1980s and 1990s.Born in Rionegro and raised in Medelln, Escobar studied briefly at Universidad Autnoma Latinoamericana of Medelln, but left without graduating; he instead began engaging in criminal, Frank Lucas (September 9, 1930 May 30, 2019) was an American drug trafficker who operated in Harlem during the late 1960s and early 1970s. By the time of his arrest in 1995, he dominated much of the U.S. market, operating large-scale cocaine operations in most of the major U.S. cities. This Colombian Drug Kingpin, easily the best-known co-founder of the Medellin Cartel, had ambitions of becoming the President of Colombia. [59], Escobar's sister, Luz Maria Escobar, also made multiple gestures in attempts to make amends for the drug baron's crimes. [1][7] U.S. law enforcement officials in the 1990s estimated that Colombian drug cartels spent more than $500 million on bribing officials every year. prison. Escobar then planted a bomb on Avianca Flight 203 in an attempt to assassinate Galn's successor, Csar Gaviria Trujillo, who missed the plane and survived. He is considered to be one of the most notable narcotics traffickers in the world. His 70-year prison sentence was commuted to a 5-year sentence, after he became an informant. Dataset. Barnes was sentenced to life imprisonment, eventually becoming a federal informant that led to the collapse of The Council in 1983. Mr Duque, quoted by AFP news agency, described the operation as "the biggest penetration of the jungle ever seen in the military history of our country". [6] He was killed in 1996. Escobar is rumored to have started his criminal career with his gang by stealing tombstones, sandblasting their inscriptions, and reselling them, though his most likely first crime was street fraud. Local media were alerted, and after being exposed as Escobar's widow, Henao was imprisoned for eighteen months while her finances were investigated. In 1991, Escobar surrendered to authorities, and was sentenced to five years' imprisonment on a host of charges, but struck a deal of no extradition with Colombian President Csar Gaviria, with the ability of being housed in his own, self-built prison, La Catedral. At the same time, Escobar was gradually becoming a public figure, and because of his charitable work, he was known as "Robin Hood Paisa." [27] Arrested in 1985 for drug-trafficking charges, she was subsequently convicted and spent almost 20 years in a U.S. Escobar founded the Medelln cartel and was one of the wealthiest and most notorious drug lords until his death. One of his biggest quirks and differences is being a regular user of the products he helps distributes, making him rather unprofessional. [54][55][56] The judge ordered the seizing of assets for about $1m each. Accounts of Escobar's continued criminal activities while in prison began to surface in the media, which prompted the government to attempt to move him to a more conventional jail on 22 July 1992. [He] was affectionate and sweet. While throwing a Christmas party at his lavish home in 2009, he and his pals came . El Vicentillo, is the son of Ismael Zambada Garcia, one of the most dangerous drug lords of the infamous Sinaloa Cartel. [7] Several political leaders, such as President Virgilio Barco Vargas, became convinced that the ruthless drug lords were intent on becoming so powerful that they could oust the formal government and run the country. entered into the criminal world by selling stolen vehicles, while serving a prison sentence for selling stolen cars that Lehder decided, Lehders true dream was to head up a new Colombian Neo-Nazi government, bestowed upon him because of how carefully he considered his every move, joint leader of the Cali Cartel alongside his brother, Miguel Rodrguez Orejuela, he said misrepresented the true facts and tarnished his reputation as a result, one of the most wanted men in Colombia while he was at large, resulted in the death of himself and his 17-year-old son, Freddy, name means Prince Prosperous in the Burmese Shan dialect, turned himself in during 1991 and served only five years, purportedly handling thousands of pounds of cocaine, with a reward of $25 million being offered in return for his capture, involved in the Mumbai terrorist attacks of 1993 and 2008, Pakistan claims no knowledge of his whereabouts and evidence is scarce, smuggled multi-ton loads of methamphetamine and cocaine, continued his reign of terror until 2017 when he was sentenced to life in prison, based on a forgiving estimate of the value of the cocaine that he smuggled, he also laundered money through Colombia to finance his fleets, died in a Mexican hospital in 1997 after getting intensive plastic surgery, the first drug lord to use private planes to traffic cocaine, he established programs to assist impoverished members of the community, a harrowing five-week ordeal with many casualties, gained plenty of popularity by sponsoring charities and sports, excessive and often indiscriminate violence. Amado Carrillo Fuentes was known for his brutality after murdering his boss, Rafael Aguilar Guajardo, and seizing control of the Jurez Cartel. [10] His life has also served as inspiration for or has been dramatized widely in film, television, and in music. In 1976, Escobar founded the Medelln Cartel, which distributed powder cocaine, and established the first smuggling routes from Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador, through Colombia and eventually into the United States. ( Example : app brand cool kids ) He created a zoo, a lake and other diversions for his family and organization. One of the few old school drug lords still out there is Ismael Zambada, who is 72 years old and still heading the Sinaloa cartel. The journalist stated that Escobar had financed the operation, which was committed by M-19; but she blamed the army for the killings of more than 100 people, including 11 Supreme Court magistrates, M-19 members, and employees of the cafeteria. [36] At this point in time, Mesa was the most wanted drug baron in Medellin. His killing was mourned and his funeral attended by over 25,000people. Despite revolutionizing the Colombian drug trade with mules and air travel, Lehders true dream was to head up a new Colombian Neo-Nazi government. [4] Jos Santacruz Londoo, Gilberto Rodrguez Orejuela, and Miguel Rodrguez Orejuela were key figures in the Cali Cartel in the end of 1970s. "This blow is only comparable to the fall of Pablo Escobar in the 1990s.". Gilberto Rodriguez Orejuelas moniker El Ajedrecista translates to The Chess Player in English and was bestowed upon him because of how carefully he considered his every move. Henao even successfully negotiated for her son's life by personally guaranteeing he would not seek revenge against the cartel or participate in the drug trade. [33], Escobar faced threats from the Colombian police, the U.S. government and his rival, the Cali Cartel. mercenary.[10][11][12]. Pablo Escobars accountant claimed that he spent $2,500 a month on nothing but the rubber bands needed to wrap up his staggering amount of illegal cash. Ismael Zambada. [12], Soon after Escobar's death and the subsequent fragmentation of the Medelln Cartel, the cocaine market became dominated by the rival Cali Cartel until the mid-1990s when its leaders were either killed or captured by the Colombian government. Through this, he was responsible for community projects such as the construction of houses and football fields, which gained him popularity among the locals of the towns that he frequented. Before his downfall, estimates of Lehder's annual income ranged as high as $300 million. Many there, especially many of the city's poor whom Escobar had aided while he was alive, mourned his death, and over 25,000 people attended his funeral. In addition to his drug-related crimes, he also laundered money through Colombia to finance his fleets. This is it. [15] Some people have said that Lehder, with German ancestry, was allegedly also active in the small Quintn Lam Movement, an indigenous guerrilla that was related to the FARC and the M-19, but these allegations haven't been proven. What do you think, did we get it right? [30], After becoming wealthy, Escobar created or bought numerous residences and safe houses, with the Hacienda Npoles gaining significant notoriety. [19], In Congress, the new Minister of Justice, Rodrigo Lara-Bonilla, had become Escobar's opponent, accusing Escobar of criminal activity from the very first day of Congress. 15. Jesus Vicente Zambada Niebla, a.k.a. Though not as notorious as El Chapo, drug . Myraah uses sophisticated AI algorithms to generate brandworthy names and it's free. vila is the stuff legends are made of - one of the few women with access to the highest levels of cartel life. On 26 October 2019, Mesa head Luis Rodrigo Rodrguez, alias "El Montaero", was arrested on charges of conspiracy, extortion and drug trafficking.[42][43]. Drug Money Earned: $5 billion. He was known for cutting out middlemen in the drug trade and buying heroin directly from his source in the Golden Triangle in Southeast Asia. One police officer was killed. With an estimated net worth of $1 billion, Guzmn is extremely powerfulthere is no doubt why the Sinoloa Cartel won a bloody battle against its former partner, the Juarez Cartel. [32], Escobar also owned a huge Caribbean getaway on Isla Grande, the largest of the cluster of the 27 coral cluster islands comprising Islas del Rosario, located about 35km (22mi) from Cartagena. One of the more recent sensations in the drug lord occupation was Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman, a major Mexican drug lord who terrorized the country until a few years ago, and . Born in Antioquia in the early 1970s, Otoniel jumped between several guerrilla and paramilitary groups - including the Farc (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia), the major Marxist-Leninist rebel group, and the United Self-Defence Forces of Colombia (AUC), a far-right paramilitary and drug trafficking gang.