Colombian Drug Kingpin Known as “Don T” Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for International Cocaine Distribution Conspiracy

Press Release

Defendant's Organization Exported Tens of Thousands of Kilograms of Cocaine

Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, Tito Aldemar Ruano Yandun, also known as "Don T," "Don Ti," "Don Tito," "Pedro Linares," "Pedro AK2," "Santos," "Don Tuma," "Viejo" and "Viejo Loco," was sentenced by United States District Court Judge William F. Kuntz, II to 20 years in prison for leading an international cocaine distribution conspiracy. Ruano Yandun pleaded guilty to the charge in March 2024. The defendant was also ordered to forfeit $1.5 million in drug proceeds.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division (DEA), announced the sentence.

"Today's sentence significantly punishes the defendant for leading a prolific drug trafficking organization that exported thousands of kilograms of cocaine destined for our streets," stated United States Attorney Peace. "International drug kingpins must face American justice for the misery they have caused in our district and country."

Mr. Peace extended his appreciation to the DEA's office in Bogota, Colombia, the United States Department of State, the Department of Justice's Office of International Affairs, the Colombian National Police and the Government of Colombia.

"Today, justice has been delivered. Martin Leonel Perez Castro, who served as a former senior member and one of the highest-level drug trafficking members of the FARC, used violent tactics, which included terrorism, to help distribute shipments of cocaine from Columbia to New York City and the United States" stated Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino. "While this sentencing closes the door to Mr. Castro's activities, the DEA and our law enforcement partners, both globally and here in the United States, remain committed to making sure those who use violent and terrorist acts as a measure for illicit drug trade face the justice they deserve."

As detailed in court documents, the defendant led a sophisticated drug trafficking organization that operated in southwestern Colombia and Ecuador. His organization regularly exported multi-ton quantities of cocaine to Central America and Mexico so that it could eventually be smuggled into the United States. The defendant's drug trafficking organization trafficked cocaine on behalf of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (i.e., the FARC), helping to fund the FARC's long-running campaign to overthrow the Government of Colombia.

During the investigation, foreign and U.S. authorities seized thousands of kilograms of cocaine that were being transported by members of the defendant's organization.

In November 2017, pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Ruano Yandun and his organization as Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers for their significant role in international narcotics trafficking. At the time of the designation, OFAC stated that Ruano Yandun's organization was "a key contributor to the increased cocaine production in the Nariño department of Colombia in recent years." Ruano Yandun was extradited to the Eastern District of New York in October 2023.

The conviction and sentencing of Ruano Yandun are the result of an ongoing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation led by the Office and the DEA. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation's illegal drug supply. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

The government's case is being handled by the Office's International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section. Assistant United States <_w3a_listitem listvalue="Choose an item."><_w3a_listitem listvalue="Attorney" datavalue="Attorney"><_w3a_listitem listvalue="Attorneys" datavalue="Attorneys"> Attorney Andrew D. Wang is in charge of the prosecution.

The <_w3a_listitem listvalue="Choose an item."><_w3a_listitem listvalue="Defendant" datavalue="Defendant"><_w3a_listitem listvalue="Defendants" datavalue="Defendants">Defendant:

TITO ALDEMAR RUANO YANDUN (also known as "Don T," "Don Ti," "Don Tito," "Pedro Linares," "Pedro AK2," "Santos," "Don Tuma," "Viejo" and "Viejo Loco")
Age: 49
Colombia

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 17-CR-27 (WFK)

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Updated November 20, 2024