After 22 years of eluding authorities, a South Florida drug fugitive was caught in Ecuador after being the victim of a crime himself, according to the Sun Sentinel. The fugitive, who is now 50-years-old, jumped bail during his trial in 1990 where he was being prosecuted on drug trafficking charges. He was caught in February and will be sentenced for bail-jumping on May 31, 2012. He faces a maximum 10 year prison sentence in addition to the 1990 conviction for conspiracy to traffic cocaine, which carries a prison sentence of 10 years to life.
The former fugitive, who had been performing construction jobs in Ecuador, had his car broken into. The perpetrator stole his cell phone and wallet. He set out to get a new driver's license but was stopped by police in La Libertad, who were checking every driver's identification documents. Without any official identification on him, the former fugitive was arrested and taken to immigration where he was fingerprinted. The Interpol results revealed his "wanted" status.
The original trial involved the former fugitive and 12 other men; they were all charged in a drug plot to import several thousands of pounds of cocaine into Miami from Colombia. The Coast Guard saw 70-pound bales of cocaine floating in the ocean and being loaded onto a fishing boat and three speedboats near the Bahamas. Although the former fugitive had gone on the run before the final verdict was read in the original trial, he was nonetheless convicted of conspiracy but acquitted of actual drug importation charges.
Drug trafficking is a serious offense that carries severe penalties. If you have been accused of drug trafficking in Florida, contact the experienced Florida federal drug trafficking defense attorneys at Musca Law. We can build an aggressive defense on your behalf and protect your legal rights. Call today (888) 484-5057 for a confidential consultation.