An Honduran judge on Friday approved the extradition of former police chief Juan Carlos “El Tigre” Bonia to the United States, who want to try him for drug trafficking, illegal possession and use of firearms.
The “Tiger” was arrested by members of the “special police forces” at a toll station in Samprano, north of the capital, in early March.
Honduran Justice Minister Melvin Duarte has confirmed the judge’s decision to extradite Mr. Bonilla, who has been wanted since May 2021 in the Central American country, to the United States.
Juan Carlos Bonia was the police chief from 2012 to 2013, during the days of former right-wing president Porfirio Lombo.
In April 2020, US authorities accused the “Tiger” of smuggling cocaine into their territory on behalf of former President Juan Orlando Hernandez and his brother, former MP Juan Antonio “Tony” Hernandez.
The former president of the right-wing Hernandez, who handed over power in January, remains in custody pending his extradition to the United States, which also wants to try him for drug trafficking. Mr Duarte said a release date had not yet been set.
A US court last year sentenced “Tony” Hernandez to life in prison plus 30 years for smuggling some 500 tonnes of cocaine into the United States. U.S. prosecutors say his brother, the former president, was an accomplice to “turning Honduras into a drug lord.” If tried and convicted, the former head of state risks being sentenced to life in prison as well.
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