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Drug Cartel Member Arrested, Officials Say

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 29, 2007

ORLANDO - A member of the Colombian Medellin-based drug cartel who coordinated the kidnapping of an undercover federal agent in 2005 has been arrested, federal authorities said Friday.

Byron A. Jimenez Castaneda, 44, was arrested Thursday night and was being held at the Orange County Jail. A 15-count indictment alleges that Castaneda coordinated the kidnapping of an undercover Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Medellin, Colombia.

It was not clear what happened to the agent.

In a statement from the Department of Homeland Security, the department said the indictment alleges that a ransom of $2 million was requested for the release of the agent.

Castaneda also was indicted on charges of conspiracy to possess, distribute and import narcotics into the United States.

If convicted of the narcotics offenses, he faces a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison to the maximum sentence of life in prison as well as a fine of up to $4 million.

He also could get up to life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 if convicted of taking a hostage.

The Associated Press

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