Guatemalan designated as `drug kingpin' convicted in New York of drug importation charges

Associated Press

Last update: November 6, 2009 - 5:05 PM

NEW YORK - A Guatemalan designated as one of the world's biggest drug kingpins has been convicted of cocaine importation and distribution charges.

Jorge Mario Paredes-Cordova (HOR'-heh MAH'-reeoh Pah-REH-dess Cor-DOH'-vah) was convicted Friday by a federal jury in Manhattan on charges he led a drug-trafficking syndicate that smuggled tons of cocaine into the country from Central America.

Paredes-Cordova was captured in Honduras in May 2008 while living there under a false identity. Before that, he was designated by the United States as one of the most powerful and dangerous drug traffickers in the world.

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said the conviction ends a more than decade-long run of crime for Paredes-Cordova. He was prosecuted under a 2003 indictment.

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