Skip to Main content

15.13°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Jun 1, 2022 3:56 PM - THE CANADIAN PRESS

Leader of now-defunct Colombian drug cartel dies in US jail

Share On

Gilberto Rodríguez Orejuela, an elderly leader of the former Cali cartel that smuggled vast amounts of cocaine from Colombia to the United States in the 1980s and 1990s, has died in a U.S. prison, his lawyer said Wednesday.

In 2020, a judge had denied Rodríguez Orejuela, who was in his 80s, early release on compassionate grounds from a prison in Butner, North Carolina. His attorney, David O. Markus, had said at the time that the former drug kingpin was suffering a range of health problems.

Rodríguez Orejuela and his brother, Miguel, built a huge criminal enterprise that succeeded the Medellin cartel once run by drug lord Pablo Escobar. Both operations used violence and killings extensively for intimidation and enforcement.

The Rodríguez Orejuela brothers were captured in 1995 and imprisoned in Colombia.under pressure from the U.S, In 2004, Gilberto was extradited; Miguel was extradited the next year.

Latest news

canada-eu-to-forge-a-new-strategic-partnership-geneviève-tuts

CanadaSep 09, 2026

Canada-EU to Forge a New Strategic Partnership: Geneviève Tuts

European Union Ambassador to Canada Geneviève Tuts has revealed that the EU and Ottawa are working toward an unprecedented strategic partnership. Her comments come ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s planned address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, next week. Carney has been invited to speak as a non-European leader. According to Tuts, the proposed trade and strategic framework will be part of the broader security and economic alliance Carney highlighted last month. She said the partnership would be distinct from the EU’s existing agreements with countries such as Switz

bc-forestry-sector-urges-urgent-action-writes-to-premier-eby

BC Forestry Sector Urges Urgent Action, Writes to Premier Eby

Major organizations representing British Columbia’s forestry sector have written to Premier David Eby, calling for immediate action to address the growing crisis in the province’s forest industry. The BC Council of Forest Industries, BC Wood and the United Steelworkers jointly sent a letter to the provincial government this month, urging Premier Eby to establish a Forestry Crisis Action Group under his leadership. The groups said B.C.’s forestry sector is at a critical crossroads. While acknowledging that international trade pressures are beyond the direct control of the provincial gover

CanadaSep 09, 2026

Canada Eases Study Rules for Temporary Foreign Workers, Allows Up to 6 Months of Study Without Permit

The Canadian government has announced a temporary measure allowing eligible temporary foreign workers already in the country to study for up to six months without applying for a study permit. The initiative is aimed at helping workers upgrade their skills, obtain short-term training and pursue professional licensing while continuing to work. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the measure will particularly benefit workers in high-demand fields, including nurses, laboratory technicians and skilled tradespeople. The government says the move is intended to help addr

CanadaSep 09, 2026

Tariff War Could Push Up Prices at Canadian Retail Stores

Canadian shoppers could see higher prices at retail stores as the ongoing tariff war begins to affect newly imported goods. However, retailers say the impact may take some time to reach store shelves as businesses first work through inventory purchased before the latest tariffs came into effect. Matt Poirier of the Retail Council of Canada said products with short shelf lives or those that sell quickly are likely to see price increases first. This could be followed by slower-moving items such as ovens and washing machines as retailers replenish their stock with tariff-affected products. Canad

85-year-old-man-killed-by-stray-bullet-in-burnaby-apartment

85-Year-Old Man Killed by Stray Bullet in Burnaby Apartment

An 85-year-old man was killed after being struck by a stray bullet inside his apartment in Burnaby. According to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT), the body of Chang Yong Cho was found on Aug. 30 inside his apartment in the 7400 block of Kingsway. Police had received reports of a shooting in a nearby block at around 1:30 a.m. Later that day, at approximately 4 p.m., Burnaby RCMP received a call requesting a welfare check at the apartment, where Cho was found dead from a gunshot wound. Investigators said shots were fired during a dispute between a group of young people. One of t

Related News

275 Indians Still Missing After Severe Floods Along Nepal-Tibet Border

275 Indians Still Missing After Severe Floods Along Nepal-Tibet Border

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has said that 275 Indian nationals remain missing following severe floods along the Nepal-Tibet border, while 166 others have been safely rescued. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said 1,907 Indian nationals have safely reached Nepal from China. According to Nepalese authorities, the death toll from the floods has risen to 1,295, while around 5,000 people remain missing. Emergency teams have so far rescued more than 12,000 people. India has sent nearly 95 tonnes of relief material to Nepal through seven aircraft to support relief operations. In addition,

Nepal Floods: Death Toll Surpasses 1,000, Nearly 4,000 Still Missing

Nepal Floods: Death Toll Surpasses 1,000, Nearly 4,000 Still Missing

The death toll from devastating floods and landslides in Nepal has crossed 1,000, nearly a week after a catastrophic disaster swept through parts of the Himalayan country. Rescue teams are continuing a massive search operation for thousands of people who remain missing, using heavy machinery, helicopters and excavators to reach remote and badly damaged areas. According to the latest official figures, the confirmed death toll has reached 1,003, while around 4,000 people remain missing. The missing include 590 foreign nationals from 39 countries, highlighting the international impact of the disa

Nepal-Tibet Flood Death Toll Rises to 955, Over 3,900 Still Missing

Nepal-Tibet Flood Death Toll Rises to 955, Over 3,900 Still Missing

The death toll from the devastating floods that hit Nepal and Tibet on August 26 has risen to 955. Nepal alone has reported 939 deaths, while the number of fatalities in Tibet has reached 16. More than 3,900 people are still missing. Meanwhile, China’s Foreign Ministry said its World Meteorological Centre had sent an email to Nepal 12 days before the floods, warning of heavy rainfall, landslides and flash floods. Nepal, however, has accused China of providing forecasts for heavy rainfall but failing to share information about snowfall, water levels, landslides and other major natural hazards

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital