Colombian Drug Lord Captured in Venezuela with $200K in Cash

Colombian drug lord Maximiliano Bonilla-Orozco, who headed the Medellin-based cartel Oficina de Envigado, was captured in Argentina on Monday with help from Interpol.

Bonilla, a.k.a. El Valenciano, had been living in the city of Maracay, about 80 miles from Caracas, and was captured in the neighboring city of Valencia with the equivalent of $180,000 in Venezuelan currency.

Bonilla is an internationally wanted criminal. Aside from being one of Colombia's most wanted men, he is also wanted by both the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for drug trafficking -- specifically cocaine trafficking -- and money-laundering.

Before he was apprehended there was a $5 million dollar reward for information that would lead to an arrest and conviction.

According to U.S. officials, Bonilla organized the transportation of at least $25 million worth of cocaine from South and Central America through Mexico and into the United States.

It is believed that the organization (Oficina de Envigado) utilized a network of warehouses and front companies to purchase 'cover loads,' or legitimate goods that were stored and transported with the narcotics to mask the narcotics shipment, according to the U.S. State Department.

He is also thought to have worked with Los Zetas, one of Mexico's most powerful and violent drug cartels, and his own cartel is the progeny of Pablo Escobar's Medellin Cartel.

Oficina de Envigado was once in charge of recruiting muscle and hit-men for Escobar, but inherited his territories in the early 1990s.

Bonilla could be extradited to the United States if and when that country so solicits, Venezuela's Interior Minister Tarek El Aissami stated.

He's one of the most recognized drug traffickers, who has caused terrible harm to our country, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said during a meeting with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez

We know that your people, your authorities ... were after this individual for some time, Santos told Chavez at the presidential palace. This is a very good welcome gift.