Photo: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement · Public domain

Born in Colombia · Nationality Colombian — organised crime / drug trafficking / money laundering / Norte del Valle cartel

Luis Hernando Gómez

Organised crime and cartels

Documented profile covering 9 controversies, including “2022–2024: Forfeiture of 24 properties, 5 businesses and 4 companies; appeal dismissed” and “26 June 2008: New York guilty plea to international drug-trafficking conspiracy”.

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Profile No. 2249 · Updated on 12 October 2026

9Documented controversies

6Sources

· 2 followed by a conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

2022-02-16–2024-05

2022–2024: Forfeiture of 24 properties, 5 businesses and 4 companies; appeal dismissed

Civil / administrative proceedings

A Colombian decision extinguished ownership rights over a group of properties, businesses and companies linked to Gómez Bustamante. His defence subsequently challenged the conditions of voluntary surrender; the court refused to return the assets to him.

Sources · 1

[1]
W Radio ColombiaLos bienes que alias ‘Rasguño’ quiso recuperar y la justicia le negóBroadcastHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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Case · 3 documented stages

26 June 2008: New York guilty plea to international drug-trafficking conspiracy

Conviction

2008-06-26

26 June 2008: New York guilty plea to international drug-trafficking conspiracy

Conviction

Gómez Bustamante pleaded guilty in the Eastern District of New York to international conspiracy charges relating to cocaine importation and distribution.

Attribution: Accused

Sources · 1

[1]
U.S. Department of JusticeLeader of Colombian Drug Cartel Pleads Guilty to Racketeering ChargesOfficial documentVery high reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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2007-02–07

February–July 2007: Deportation from Cuba to Colombia, followed by extradition to United States

Formally charged

Cuba returned Gómez Bustamante to Colombia in February 2007. Following approval of extradition by Colombian authorities, he was transferred to the United States in July 2007 to face proceedings in New York and Washington.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Accused

Sources · 1

[1]
U.S. Department of JusticeLeader of Norte Valle Colombian Drug Cartel Extradited to United StatesOfficial documentVery high reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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2002-10-10

2002: New New York indictment and becomes fugitive

Formally charged

The Eastern District of New York indicted him for drug trafficking and money laundering. He remained a fugitive until his arrest in Cuba in 2004; the United States offered up to 5 million dollars for his capture.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Accused

Sources · 2

[1]
U.S. Department of StateLuis Hernando Gomez-BustamanteOfficial documentVery high reliability
[2]
U.S. Department of JusticeLeader of Norte Valle Colombian Drug Cartel Extradited to United StatesOfficial documentVery high reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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Case · 2 documented stages

17 October 2008: RICO guilty plea and admission involving over 10 000 kg of cocaine

Conviction

2008-10-17

17 October 2008: RICO guilty plea and admission involving over 10 000 kg of cocaine

Conviction

In the District of Columbia, Gómez Bustamante pleaded guilty to a RICO count involving an enterprise engaged in murder, drug trafficking, money laundering and corruption. He admitted conspiring to manufacture or distribute more than 10 000 kg of cocaine intended for the United States.

Attribution: Accused

Sources · 1

[1]
U.S. Department of JusticeLeader of Colombian Drug Cartel Pleads Guilty to Racketeering ChargesOfficial documentVery high reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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1990–2004

1990–2004: Leadership of Norte del Valle cartel organisation exporting hundreds of tonnes of cocaine

Conviction

Gómez Bustamante led an organisation transporting cocaine by aircraft, go-fast boats and ships, operating cocaine-processing laboratories in Valle del Cauca and maintaining distribution cells in the United States. The cartel is associated with approximately 500 tonnes exported during the period.

State of the evidence: Documented

Sources · 1

[1]
U.S. Department of StateLuis Hernando Gomez-BustamanteOfficial documentVery high reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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2004-07-02–2007-02

July 2004: Arrested in Cuba with false passport and detained for forged documents

Formally charged

Gómez Bustamante was arrested in Havana while travelling on a false passport. He remained detained in Cuba for more than two years before being returned to Colombia.

State of the evidence: Established by a court
Attribution: Accused

Sources · 2

[1]
U.S. Department of JusticeLeader of Colombian Drug Cartel Pleads Guilty to Racketeering ChargesOfficial documentVery high reliability
[2]
El TiempoSalió para Colombia deportado por Cuba Luis Hernando Gómez Bustamante, alias 'Rasguño'PressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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2004-03

March 2004: More than 200 properties worth approximately $100–111 million seized in Colombia

Civil / administrative proceedings

During Operation Resplandor, Colombian authorities took control of more than 200 properties linked to Gómez Bustamante, valued by US sources at approximately 111 million dollars.

State of the evidence: Documented

Sources · 2

[1]
U.S. Department of StateLuis Hernando Gomez-BustamanteOfficial documentVery high reliability
[2]
SemanaLas autoridades colombianas preparan extradición a Estados Unidos de ‘Rasguño’PressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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1997-01

1997: First federal indictment in Virginia for continuing criminal enterprise, drugs, weapons and money laundering

Formally charged

The Southern District of Virginia indicted Gómez Bustamante on charges including continuing criminal enterprise, conspiracy, weapons offences and money laundering.

State of the evidence: Documented
Legal status — source text: Formally charged
Attribution: Accused

Sources · 1

[1]
U.S. Department of StateLuis Hernando Gomez-BustamanteOfficial documentVery high reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

No documented link with another published profile for now.

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

III. Has something changed?

A new court decision, a missing source, a mistake? Tell us what should be updated: every request is read by the editorial team.

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