Martin Leonel Perez Castro, also known as “Richard” has pleaded guilty in federal court in Brooklyn to conspiracy to distribute cocaine internationally, as well as intending and knowing that the cocaine would be illegally imported into the United States.
Perez Castro has been identified as the commander of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) 30th Front, a group that operated in southwestern Colombia. He was extradited to the Eastern District of New York in June 2022. When sentenced, he faces up to life in prison. The FARC was founded in 1964 as a left-wing paramilitary group dedicated to the violent overthrow of the Government of Colombia. In October 1997, the U.S. Secretary of State designated the FARC as a foreign terrorist organization.
“The defendant was a senior FARC leader who financed the group’s violence and terrorism through the production and distribution of thousands of kilograms of cocaine on a global scale,” said United States Attorney Breon Peace. “Today’s guilty plea is a powerful reminder to drug trafficking organizations all over the world that this Office and our law enforcement partners will bring them to justice for the harm and misery they have caused in the United States and elsewhere.”
The FARC’s 30th Front, led by Perez Castro, directly sold cocaine to drug traffickers and extorted payments from traffickers operating in the 30th Front’s territory. The cocaine trafficked by the 30th Front was later smuggled into the United States, Europe, and elsewhere. The 30th Front also attacked rival drug trafficking groups or Colombian government forces to protect or expand FARC territory. As part of his plea, Perez Castro will take responsibility for the distribution of more than 75,000 kilograms of cocaine.
“As a senior FARC leader, Perez Castro used violence, power and notoriety to import tons of cocaine from Colombia into New York City,” said DEA Administrator Milgram. “Today's guilty plea reflects DEA’s unwavering commitment to hold all drug 2 traffickers accountable and should send a clear message to drug networks across the globe that we will investigate and dismantle organizations that threaten the safety and health of the American people.”
