Colombian drug lord Otoniel sentenced to 45 years in US prison
Dairo Antonio Úsuga, also known as Otoniel, the former leader of the notorious Gulf Clan drug cartel in Colombia, has been sentenced to 45 years in prison in the United States for high-level drug trafficking charges. Úsuga pleaded guilty to overseeing the smuggling of tons of cocaine and admitted to the violence associated with his criminal activities. The U.S. agreed not to seek a life sentence in order to extradite him from Colombia, where he may face further prosecution. Despite evading capture for years, Úsuga was finally apprehended and his sentencing sends a message that criminal kingpins will be held accountable.