COULD BE THE FIRST COLOMBIAN EXTRADITED TO
THE UNITED STATES UNDER A YEAR-OLD LAW

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) A 29-year-old alleged drug boss accused of
shipping heroin to U.S. cities could be the first Colombian
extradited to the United States under a year-old law, police said
Monday.

Jaime "Jimmy" Orlando Lara, who was arrested in Bogota on Saturday
night, headed a heroin distribution ring with outlets in Houston,
Miami and New York, said Gen. Rosso Jose Serrano, the national police
director.

A December 1997 law restored extradition of Colombian citizens for
trial abroad. The country's 1991 constitution, enshrined during a
bloody war with the late Medellin drug cartel, had prohibited it.

The new law is not retroactive, however, meaning Colombians can only
be extradited for crimes committed after its enactment.

Lara was indicted in New York in October for conspiracy to import and
distribute heroin, U.S. and Colombian officials said.

By law, the United States has 60 days to formally request his
extradition.

Checked-by: derek rea