Carlos Lehder, Key Associate of Pablo Escobar, Arrested After Returning to Colombia

Bogotá, Colombia - Carlos Lehder, once a prominent figure in the cocaine trade and a major associate of notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar, was apprehended upon his return to Colombia. Having lived in Germany since 2020, Lehder's arrest marks a significant turn in a long criminal history that dates back to the 1970s.

Born in Armenia, Colombia, to a German engineer and a Colombian teacher, Lehder first ventured into drug trafficking by smuggling marijuana into the United States. His criminal enterprise saw a substantial transformation when he was incarcerated in the Danbury State Prison in Connecticut. There, he devised a plan with a fellow inmate to expand into the burgeoning cocaine market, leveraging his connections with Escobar to facilitate the distribution of the drug.

Lehder's operations quickly became lucrative, amassing wealth that led him to purchase a significant portion of Norman's Cay in the Bahamas for $900,000. This location served as a strategic base for smuggling cocaine into the U.S., with its proximity to Florida proving advantageous.

During his time in Colombia, he resided at a lavish estate known as "Posada Alemana," where he even commissioned a golden statue of John Lennon, reflecting his passion for The Beatles. However, his life of luxury came to a halt in 1987 when he was arrested, allegedly betrayed by Escobar himself. Following his arrest, he was extradited to the United States, where he was sentenced to life in prison plus an additional 135 years for his role in drug trafficking.

Lehder was released in 2020 after cooperating with authorities, revealing connections to prominent figures, including former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega. Subsequently, he was deported to Germany, where he lived in a nursing home until his recent departure.

Despite facing outstanding warrants in Colombia for various charges, including arms trafficking and murder, Lehder boarded a flight from Frankfurt to Bogotá on Friday. The Colombian police have since confirmed his arrest and are currently reviewing his legal situation.

General Carlos Fernando Triana, head of the Colombian police, stated: "We are currently transferring the former capo of the defunct Medellín Cartel, Carlos Lehder Rivas, to a police unit in Bogotá for a thorough examination of his legal status in Colombia."