The defense attorney for a founding member of the “Rastrojos” drug trafficking organization is under question due to potential conflict of interest with a second US court case, local media reported Tuesday.
PROFILE: Los Rastrojos
Ruben Oliva, defense attorney for Javier Antonio Calle, alias “Comba”, founding member of the Los Rastrojos gang, has come under question as to whether he should be working the case due to potential conflict of interest.
The petition for the hearing was put forward to Judge Lois Bloom on April 3 by prosecutor Justin David Lerer due to possible external influences in the proceedings being filtered down through Oliva.
The conflict of interest may also be linked to the fact that Oliva is working as defense attorney for another Rastrojos associate, former drug lord Daniel “El Loco” Barrera, who is currently also being held in the US on drug trafficking and gang affiliated charges, according to Caracol Radio.
Comba surrendered to the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on May 8, 2012 and is currently being tried in New York where a hearing is to be held to determine whether the gang member and drug trafficker needs to change his defense attorney.
MORE: Top Rastrojos leader turns himself over to US: Reports
Comba is being charged with nine counts of drug trafficking, money laundering, murder and the formation of a criminal organization which “controlled the illicit drug trade along the Pacific ( … ) and exported tons of cocaine from Colombia to Mexico, Venezuela, South and Central America.”
Sources
- Piden a juez en EE.UU. cambiar defensa de alias Comba (Caracol Radio)
- Comba (InSight Crime)