Former Honduran congressman sentenced to 30 years in international drug conspiracy

A former Honduran congressman living in New York was sentenced to 30 years in prison by a federal judge in New York on Thursday for conspiring to bring drugs into the United States, the United States Attorney’s Office announced.

Fredy Renan Najera Montoya, 46, previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to import cocaine and possessing machine guns and destructive devices during the course of that conspiracy.

“Fredy Najera, a former Honduran congressman, abused his high-powered position by operating a large-scale narcotics trafficking organization that imported tons of cocaine to the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams.

According to court documents, Najera abused his position as a Honduras congressman from 2008 to 2015. He engaged in large-scale and violent drug trafficking activities in the area he represented in his government position.

During his time as a congressman, Najera distributed more than 30 tons of cocaine, which was eventually imported to the U.S. Najera also constructed and maintained clandestine airstrips in Olancho Honduras, which were used to receive the cocaine shipments sent from Venezuela.

Additionally, Najera used and employed security teams that used military-grade weapons, including machine guns and rocket-propelled grenade launchers, for his drug-dealing activities.

Among his other crimes, Najera introduced members of the Sinaloa Cartel to Honduran officials, who provided them with major access to a major commercial shipping hub in Honduras, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan.

In addition to the sentence, Najera was ordered to forfeit $39 million and pay a $10 million fine.