The U.S. government designated 15 more Colombians and eight Colombian companies on Thursday as "Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers" for their ties to Colombian narcotics trafficker Daniel Rendon Herrera, alias "Don Mario".
Amongst those added to the list are Freddy Rendón ("El Alemán"), Jhon Freddy Manco ("El Indio") , Camilo Torres ("Fritanga") and Juan Felipe Sierra, who have been found to be integral parts to the narcotics trafficking organization of "Don Mario".
The designations were made by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and follow a long string of designations that began in 1995, when former U.S. President Bill Clinton issued an executive order to prevent foreigners who traffic drugs and launder money from doing business in the U.S. or with American citizens.
The designations continue to come following "Don Mario's" capture and subsequent cooperation with Colombian authorities, revealing the extent of his drug transportation operation.
Just two weeks ago, the Department of the Treasury designated 30 Colombians as "Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers".
"Don Mario", who was arrested in Colombia in April of 2009, is being sought by a District Court in the United States to respond to federal crimes associated with drug trafficking.
On Wednesday, Colombia's Supreme Court rejected the United States' request to extradite "Don Mario".
