Drug kingpin’s son released after pleading in shark fin trafficking case

13 November 2024 , 20:37

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Drug kingpin’s son released after pleading in shark fin trafficking case

Less than two months after a four-year sentence for wildlife trafficking, a Colombian court has released Fernando Rodríguez Mondragón—a son of the late drug lord Gilberto Rodríguez Orejuela—following a deal with prosecutors.

After reaching a deal with prosecutors and paying $311, the son of a late Colombian drug lord—himself a former drug trafficker—was released on the same day he was sentenced to four years in prison for wildlife trafficking, the OCCRP has learned.

Fernando Rodríguez Mondragón pleaded guilty on September 19 and was initially fined $58,000. However, due to his cooperation with prosecutors and his clean record over the past five years, his sentence was overturned, and his fine was reduced to $311.

Prosecutors said he provided critical information about shark finning and a network smuggling shark fins to China through various Colombian ports.

In September 2021, Colombian authorities intercepted a shipment at Bogotá’s El Dorado International Airport containing about 3,500 shark fins intended for Hong Kong. The shipment, packed with over 100 kilograms of fish bladders, lacked the necessary permits. This seizure occurred just six months after Colombia banned the fishing and trade of sharks and shark parts.

Rodríguez Mondragón confirmed to the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) that he had nothing to do with the shipment and that prosecutors found no unjustified increase in his assets, which contributed to his conditional release. However, he said he did accept the reduced charges because he is the owner of the company that was involved in the shipment.  

OCCRP, Mongabay Latam, and Armando.info revealed in November last year the extent of the destruction of the shark population. Between 900 and 1,000 sharks, including species classified as ’critically endangered’ and ’threatened,’ are believed to have been killed for their fins. 

Rodríguez Mondragón, son of the late Cali Cartel head Gilberto Rodríguez Orejuela, was arrested in October 2023 on charges of illegal exploitation of renewable resources and wildlife trafficking. After being placed under house arrest, he accepted responsibility for the crimes he was charged with in January 2024.

According to the deal with prosecutors, over the next two years Rodríguez Mondragón must demonstrate good behavior, notify authorities of any change of residence, and obtain a judge’s permission to leave the country.

James Smith