Once-powerful Colombia drug lord sentenced

Published 10:34 am Wednesday, April 22, 2009

NEW YORK — One of Colombia’s once most feared drug lords has been sentenced to more than 31 years in prison after he apologized for his crimes.

Federal Judge Richard Berman also ordered Diego Murillo to pay $4 million in fines as he sentenced him for conspiring to import cocaine into the United States.

Murillo portrayed himself as a hero of his people in comments to the court before he was sentenced to 31 years and three months in prison. He said he sold drugs to raise money to help his people.

But prosecutor Eric Snyder said Murillo worked for a terrorist organization with the same bad intent as al-Qaida.