Wilber Varela | |
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Born | Wilber Alirio Varela Fajardo November 6, 1957 Roldanillo, Valle del Cauca Department, Colombia |
Died | 2008 (aged 50–51) Mérida, Mérida, Venezuela |
Cause of death | Gunshot wound |
Body discovered | February 1, 2008 |
Other names |
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Occupation | |
Children | 5 |
Allegiance | Norte del Valle Cartel |
Accomplice(s) | Yovanna Guzmán |
Wilber Alirio Varela Fajardo (November 6, 1957 – 2008), also known as Jabón ("Soap"), was a Colombian drug trafficker. He was the leader of the Norte del Valle Cartel. A Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act indictment was filed in the District Court of the District of Columbia by the Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Section of the United States Department of Justice Criminal Division against the leaders of the Norte del Valle Cartel, including Varela. According to the indictment, the Norte del Valle Cartel exported approximately 500 metric tons of cocaine worth over $10 billion from Colombia to the United States, often through Mexico, between 1990 and 2004. The indictment was unsealed in May 2004. A provisional arrest warrant was issued and was sent to the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá.
In addition, in March 2004, a grand jury in the Eastern District of New York indicted Varela on Drug Trafficking Charges. The United States Department of State offered a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Varela.[1]