Diego Leon Montoya Sanchez
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Diego Leon Montoya Sanchez |
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Born: | January 11, 1958 |
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Crime: | Check Article |
Date Added: | May 6, 2004 |
Number on List: | #478 |
Currently Top Ten Fugitive |
Diego Leon Montoya Sanchez (also known as Diego Leon or Don Diego; born 11 January 1958 or 1961 in Trujillo, Colombia) a crime boss in Colombia. On May 6, 2004 he became the 478th fugitive listed by the United States' Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. [1]
According to the FBI, Montoya Sanchez is wanted for:
- Conspiracy to import and possess with intent to deliver cocaine;
- Possession with intent to deliver cocaine;
- Money laundering;
- Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) – drug trafficking;
- Conspiracy to distribute or manufacture cocaine abroad with knowledge or intent that it be imported into the United States.
As of May 2004, The United States Department of State's Narcotics Rewards Program is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading directly to the arrest or conviction of Diego Leon Montoya Sanchez, the highest amount currently offered for a non-terrorist fugitive, effectively making the priority of his capture second only to that of Osama bin Laden.
On January 15, 2007, Sanchez's brother and co-leader of the cartel, Eugenio, was captured in Colombia [2]
Contents |
[edit] Statement from FBI
Montoya Sanchez is being sought in connection with the manufacture and distribution of multiple tons of cocaine, knowing or intending that it will be imported into the United States. Montoya is reputedly one of the principal leaders of the Colombian North Valley cartel. The North Valley cartel is believed to be the most powerful and violent drug trafficking organization in Colombia. The cartel reportedly relies heavily for protection on illegal armed groups, taking help from right-wing paramilitaries as well as leftist rebels.
Montoya Sanchez uses the known aliases Diego Montoya, Diego Sanchez-Montoya, “Don Diego”, “El Senor De La Guerra”, “El Ciclista.”
The FBI considers him to be armed and extremely dangerous.
Montoya is currently thought to be under the protection of the Colombian paramilitary group, United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC).
[edit] Description
Dates of Birth Used | January 11, 1958; January 11, 1961 |
Hair | Black |
Place of Birth | Trujillo, Colombia |
Eyes | Brown |
Height | 6′ 0″ (183 cm) |
Complexion | Medium |
Weight | 230 pounds (104 kg) |
Build | Heavy |
Sex | Male |
Race | White (Hispanic) |
Occupation | Rancher |
Nationality | Colombian |
Scars and Marks | Surgical scars on his lower back and legs due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident |
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ FBI ADDS COLOMBIAN DRUG CARTEL LEADER TO MOST WANTED FUGITIVE LIST, FBI Headline Archives,05/06/04
- ^ http://www3.whdh.com/news/articles/world/MI37489/
[edit] External links
- America’s Most Wanted file on Montoya Sanchez
- U.S. Department of State rewards page for Montoya Sanchez
- U.S. Department of Justice press release
- U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) page on Montoya Sanchez
- BBC reported that relatives of Montoya Sanchez were arrested in Colombia (January 11, 2004)