No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeTopicsCrimeFabio Lobo: Honduras’ drug trafficking presidential son?

Fabio Lobo: Honduras’ drug trafficking presidential son?

NEW YORK – The United States has indicted the son of former Honduran President Porfirio “Pepe” Lobo (2010-2014) on drug trafficking charges, U.S. federal prosecutors announced Friday.

Fabio Lobo was arrested on Wednesday in Haiti and extradited to New York. He is charged with conspiracy to import and distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine in the United States and could be sentenced to life imprisonment, according to a statement from U.S. Federal Prosecutor Preer Bharara’s office.

Fabio Lobo was brought Friday before federal judge Kevin Nathaniel Fox in a southern Manhattan court, according to the same source.

“Fabio Lobo tried to break the law in the United States by plotting to traffic cocaine. Being the son of a former president does not mean one is above the law,” Bharara stated.

Prosecutors say Lobo is accused of trafficking cocaine from 2009 to 2014, the same years his father was elected and served as president of Honduras, following a coup that toppled former President Manuel Zelaya on June 28, 2009.

Hondura’s current president, Juan Orlando Hernández, recently has been carrying out an offensive against drug traffickers in his country, who play a vital role in transporting cocaine from South America to the U.S. Those involved in the illicit drug trade reportedly are linked to seven out of every 10 violent deaths that occur in Honduras, according to officials.

After learning of his son’s arrest, former President Lobo thanked Hernández for having informed him of the detention, saying that he did not wish this to happen “to any father.”

“I’ve always taught my children the right path,” the former president said. “They’ll always have me at their side, but not for something that is wrong. … If he’s guilty he should answer to the law.”

Honduras is the global leader in homicide rates, with 68 per 100,000 residents, according to the National University’s Observatorio de la Violencia.

Trending Now

Costa Rica Green Hotels Lead Global Sustainable Tourism

Costa Rica’s reputation as a leader in sustainable tourism grows stronger every year, with our green hotels setting a high bar for eco-conscious hospitality...

U.S. – Guatemala Security Pact Targets Crime and Helps Returning Migrants

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem signed a border security cooperation agreement with Guatemala on Thursday, which includes the use of drones and...

Costa Rica Pushes USA to the Brink but Falls in Penalty Heartbreak

If you just caught the end of the USA vs. Costa Rica Gold Cup quarterfinal, you probably feel like you need another cup of...

Costa Rica and U.S. Strengthen Border Scans and Biometric Cooperation

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem met Wednesday with Honduran President Xiomara Castro to discuss security and migration, following her offer in Costa...

Celso Gamboa Allegedly Ran Drug Ring with Costa Rican Government Ties

Celso Gamboa, once Costa Rica’s Security Minister and a Supreme Court judge, now faces extradition to the U.S. for leading a major cocaine trafficking...

Fishing, Wildlife, and History in Costa Rica’s Barra del Colorado

Costa Rica’s Barra del Colorado is a magical and charming town. It’s one of the country’s hidden gems, best known for its world-class sport...
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica