Former Honduras President to Be Extradited to the U.S. on Drug-Trafficking Charges

The Supreme Court of Honduras ruled unanimously that former President Juan Orlando Hernández should be extradited to the U.S. and face trial in New York on charges he helped smuggle tons of cocaine in exchange for millions of dollars in bribes, a court spokesman said on Monday.

Mr. Hernández was arrested by Honduran security forces in February after the U.S. requested his extradition following a three-count indictment made on Jan. 27, hours after Mr. Hernández left office.

U.S. prosecutors charged him with one count of conspiracy to manufacture and import cocaine and two counts of using weapons, including machine guns, over the course of at least 18 years, according to the extradition request seen by The Wall Street Journal.

Mr. Hernández has denied involvement in drug trafficking or corruption. The ruling comes after his lawyers presented an appeal to block his extradition.

Read More (...)