This past Saturday, Honduran authorities extradited Jorge Marcelo Manso, a Cuban-American national, to the United States. Manso, who has been on the run for over 15 years, is wanted by U.S. justice for charges linked to cocaine trafficking. His extradition concludes a lengthy period of evasion and marks the beginning of his legal proceedings on American soil.
At 56, Manso was transported under stringent security measures from San Pedro Sula to Palmerola International Airport in Comayagua. From there, he boarded a commercial flight bound for Houston, Texas, where he will face the authorities who have been pursuing him, as reported by Honduran police sources cited in La Prensa.
According to the publication, the Cuban-American had an active Interpol red notice since February 18, 2009, issued by Miami-Dade County Judicial Circuit Court Number 11, related to cocaine trafficking offenses. The case dates back to December 2008, when court documents allege he arranged a six-kilogram cocaine deal in Miami.
Authorities discovered over $120,000 in cash and one kilogram of cocaine during a search of his residence. After acknowledging his involvement, Manso was released on bail but fled the United States in 2010, prompting a new arrest warrant for fleeing justice.
The Honduran news outlet Once Noticias confirmed that the extradition followed a formal request from the United States, authorized by the Supreme Court of Justice of Honduras after all legal channels were exhausted.
The operation was carried out with international agency cooperation and under tight security, reflecting the Central American nation's commitment to judicial collaboration and the fight against organized crime.
As detailed by Proceso Digital, officers from the Interpol Unit of the Police Investigation Directorate (DPI) completed the final procedures for Manso's handover. He was residing in the University neighborhood of San Pedro Sula, where he was apprehended a few days prior.
Interpol reports, referenced by the media, suggest that Manso entered Honduras illegally in 2015 and remained there until his recent capture.
Key Facts About Jorge Marcelo Manso's Extradition
Why was Jorge Marcelo Manso extradited to the U.S.?
Manso was extradited due to charges related to cocaine trafficking in the United States, following a long period of evasion from justice.
What was the role of Interpol in Manso's case?
Interpol played a crucial role by issuing a red notice for Manso, which facilitated international cooperation in his capture and extradition.
How did Manso evade capture for so long?
Manso managed to evade capture for over a decade by entering Honduras illegally in 2015 and remaining there until his recent arrest.