(SOCA) UK's first extradition from Colombia

The first Colombian national to be extradited from his home country to face trial in the UK arrived at Heathrow yesterday afternoon.

The unnamed man was escorted by officers from the Serious Organised Crime Agency who had flown to Colombia to take him into custody. He was charged at Heathrow Police Station with eleven offences of money laundering linked to drug supply in the UK and will appear at a central London court today. The case will be prosecuted by the Organised Crime Division of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

This is believed to be the first time the UK's extradition treaty with Colombia, which was signed in 1888, has been used. The development follows close working between SOCA, the Colombian authorities, and the CPS, which submitted and prepared the extradition documentation.

Director General of SOCA Bill Hughes said the move marks a noteworthy development in the fight against the illegal cocaine trade.

"This extradition has been possible thanks to a new level of joint working with the authorities in Colombia, for which we thank them," he said.

"The cocaine trade devastates communities here and in Colombia, and supports other criminal activity. SOCA is working on many levels to undermine that trade and put the UK drugs market under stress. Together with partners we are intercepting more drugs before they can reach the UK. We are targeting the producers of cutting agents - the chemical cocktails that adulterate street level drugs and increase profits but also risks to the health of users. We are supporting the authorities in producer countries to help frustrate drug production, and our forensic analysis is helping identify and break up distribution networks in the UK.

"This first extradition marks a significant step forward for the UK and Colombia. Together we are squeezing the traffickers from both ends of the chain. The message to criminals is that targeting the UK is a high risk business and will not be tolerated."