Fabio Ochoa walks free in Colombia after 25 years behind bars
- Fabio Ochoa was deported to Colombia after serving 25 years in a U.S. prison.
- Upon arrival, Ochoa was greeted by immigration officials and confirmed he was not wanted by Colombian authorities.
- The former drug lord has stated he feels relieved and is eager to reunite with his family.
Colombia is now home to Fabio Ochoa, a notorious drug lord and key operator of the Medellin cartel, who was deported after completing 25 years of a 30-year prison sentence in the United States. Ochoa's arrival in Bogota's El Dorado airport marks a significant moment in his turbulent history, as he returns to a country he once helped transform into a major cocaine supplier to the U.S. He was welcomed by immigration officials who confirmed he was not wanted by Colombian authorities, allowing him to reunite with family following a long absence. Ochoa's criminal journey began as part of the Medellin cartel, which made a fortune in the cocaine trade in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He became a significant figure in the cartel, operating a distribution center in Miami, which was instrumental for trafficking. He faced serious legal challenges during his time, being indicted for his involvement in high-profile drug-related crimes, including the murder of American pilot Barry Seal. After turning informant for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Ochoa and his brothers managed to evade extradition to the U.S. in the early 1990s. Following a series of legal battles, including a return to custody for drug trafficking in 2001, Ochoa was extradited to the U.S. to face charges in Miami. His trial resulted in a 30-year sentence while other co-defendants benefited from cooperation agreements with prosecutors. Ochoa's name has gradually faded from media attention with the rise of Mexican drug cartels, but his history remains a stark reminder of Colombia's turbulent drug trade era. His recent portrayal in Netflix series such as 'Griselda' and 'Narcos' has resurrected some interest in his past, showing his power struggles in the drug world and contrasting his elite family background. Following his release, Richard Gregorie, a retired assistant U.S. attorney, posited that Ochoa likely returns to Columbia not empty-handed due to unresolved financial assets related to his illegal activities. The conclusion of his lengthy imprisonment has been described by Ochoa as the end of a nightmare, as he aims to reconnect with his family, showing personal ramifications of his actions from decades past.