U.S. Department of Justice Marcos Daniel Jiménez United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida
	99 N.E. 4th Street Miami, FL 33132 (305) 961-9001

FEDERAL HEROIN TRAFFICKING INDICTMENT UNSEALED
AFTER ARREST OF JUAN CARLOS CRESPO BALLESTEROS IN COLUMBIA

Marcos Daniel Jiménez, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; and Thomas W. Raffanello, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Miami, announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging defendant, Juan Carlos Crespo Ballesteros, a/k/a El Amigo, a/k/a Amigazo, with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin and other heroin-related offenses. The unsealing of the Indictment follows the defendant’s arrest on Tuesday, July 27, 2004, in Santander de Quilichao, Colombia. The United States is seeking the defendant’s extradition to stand trial in Miami before United States District Judge Patricia Seitz.

Count 1 of the Indictment charges that Crespo Ballesteros, beginning in or about October 2001 and continuing until on or about March 5, 2003, in Miami-Dade County and elsewhere, conspired to possess with intent to distribute one (1) kilogram or more of heroin, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 846 and 841(b)(1)(A)(i). Count 2 of the Indictment charges that Crespo Ballesteros, on or about July 24, 2002, in Miami-Dade County, possessed with intent to distribute one (1) kilogram or more of heroin, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A)(i). Counts 3 and 4 of the Indictment charge that Crespo Ballesteros, on or about February 13, 203, and February 14, 2003, respectively, in Miami-Dade County, possessed with intent to distribute one (1) kilogram or more of heroin, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A)(i).

If convicted, Crespo Ballesteros faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison on each count and a maximum statutory fine of $4 million on each count.

Mr. Jiménez commended the investigative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Colombian National Police. The case is being prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Caroline Heck Miller.

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