Former Honduran President indicted on U.S. drug trafficking charges

U.S. authorities have arrested and indicted former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez on drug and trafficking charges, just hours after he was extradited to the United States on Thursday.

According to court records, the former Central American leader is facing charges of cocain importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices, CBS News reported.

"From at least in or about 2004, up to and including in or about 2022, Hernandez participated in a corrupt and violent drug-trafficking conspiracy to facilitate the importation of tons of cocaine into the United States," the indictment reads.

"As part of the conspiracy, Juan Orlando Hernandez ... received millions of dollars from multiple drug-trafficking organizations in Honduras, Mexico and elsewhere, including from the former leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, Joaquin Guzman Loera, a/k/a 'El Chapo.'"

The indictment further notes that “Hernandez used those drug-trafficking proceeds to enrich himself, finance his political campaigns, and commit voter fraud, including in connection with the 2013 and 2017 Honduran presidential elections.”

Authorities have also alleged that the former president protected drug traffickers, including his brother.

With that in mind, Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator Anne Milgram has said that “this case should send a message — to all political leaders around the world that trade on positions of influence to further transnational organized crime.”

“The DEA will stop at nothing to investigate these cases and dismantle drug trafficking organizations that threaten the safety and health of the American people,” she added.

Hernandez was extradited by the Honduran government on Thursday and was brought to New York by authorities to face charges, a senior U.S. official said. The former president’s extradition was cleared by a Honduran court last month after rejecting his appeal to stop the extradition.

Hernández was president from 2014 until his second term concluded in January of this year. He was arrested in Honduras' capital city of Tegucigalpa in February.