Miguel Rodriguez Orejuela

Miguel Rodriguez Orejuela, known as "The Master" for his genius in concealing cocaine shipments, was indicted in Miami in 2003 along with his brother, Gilberto, on charges of drug smuggling, money laundering and obstruction of justice. Gilberto was extradited three months ago.

At its height following the collapse of Pablo Escobar's rival Medellin cartel, the Cali cartel controlled 80 percent of the world's cocaine trade, exporting drugs hidden in everything from hollow lumber and concrete fence posts to chlorine cylinders, frozen broccoli and okra.

Rodriguez Orejuela left Colombia hours after hard-line President Alvaro Uribe signed a final extradition order. Uribe has approved the extradition of more than 200 Colombians, notably former Medellin cartel kingpin Fabio Ochoa and two senior Marxist guerrillas, in the past two years.

The Japan Times Weekly: March 19, 2005
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