Alleged Colombian cartel member and murderer appears in Brooklyn federal court

August 7, 2017 By Paul Frangipane Special to the Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Orlando Gutierrez-Rendon helped ship about 33 tons of cocaine to be imported to the United States. Eagle file photo by Paul Frangipane

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An alleged member of Colombia’s largest criminal band who shipped tens of tons of cocaine into the U.S. appeared at Brooklyn’s federal court Monday ahead of his future sentencing date.

Orlando Gutierrez-Rendon pleaded guilty on April 17 to continuing a criminal enterprise, allegedly Clan Usuga, formerly Los Urabenos.

Gutierrez-Rendon is being held in custody and was smiling as he was escorted out of the courtroom by U.S. marshals after a short court appearance.

Gutierrez-Rendon helped ship about 33 tons of cocaine from Colombia to Mexico, El Salvador and Panama to ultimately get to the U.S., according to his indictment.

The “vast majority” of the drugs ended up in the United States.

The sole count he pleaded guilty to detailed eight violations, in which the smallest amount of cocaine he helped move was 200 kilograms (441 pounds). The largest load was 16,000 kilograms (35,274 pounds).

The shipments took place between January 2006 and May 2013.

Gutierrez-Rendon was also charged with conspiring to kill rival drug dealers between January 2006 and May 2013 and murdering Samir Garcia in October 2008, according to the indictment.

Gutierrez-Rendon was part of 17 alleged Clan Usuga members that were indicted in Brooklyn and Miami in 2015, according to statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Offices.

Clan Usuga is made up of at least 2,000 members and makes most of its profit from drug trafficking.

Gutierrez-Rendon was allegedly a leader of drug collections offices and paramilitary armed groups aligned with the cartel.

There was no future court date scheduled at press time.

After 52 years of war between the Colombian government and the rebel group FARC, the rebels began handing over their weapons on June 27, but groups like Clan Usuga still tarnish the mountainous country.

Clan Usuga and other groups have sought control over land vacated by the FARC, continuing or increasing violence in those areas, according to a report by Business Insider.

Gutierrez-Rendon is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret Lee and defended by lawyer Joel Stein.