Former Venezuelan spy chief and advisor to late President Hugo Chávez, Hugo Carvajal, pleaded not guilty in a New York courtroom to decade-old drug trafficking charges after being extradited from Spain. Carvajal, dressed in a white shirt and beige pants, appeared in Manhattan federal court where he agreed to remain behind bars while his lawyers prepare a bail proposal. Prosecutors are pushing for him to stay in custody.

Venezuela ex-spymaster arrives in US to face drug charges after extradition from Spain https://t.co/uIpBLy2IZb (The former head of Venezuela's military intelligence, Hugo #Pollo Carvajal, arrived in the U.S. on Wednesday to face drug trafficking charge, his lawyer said.) 19JUL23 pic.twitter.com/GIXaI5Aboa

— Kimberly “Kim” Wexler, MA JD (@KimWexlerMAJD) July 21, 2023

Carvajal, accused of using his high office to coordinate the smuggling of approximately 5,600 kilograms of cocaine aboard a private jet from Venezuela to Mexico in 2006, could face a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years and potentially life in prison if convicted. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams stated that the former spy chief "abused his authority" to import "tons of potentially deadly drugs" to the U.S. Carvajal's defense attorney portrayed the case as unlike any other, emphasizing the lack of evidence, such as text messages or surveillance video, and claiming that the charges are based on false statements by drug traffickers and corrupt former Venezuelan officials with personal grudges against Carvajal. Carvajal's extradition to the U.S. has been postponed several times, with his recent capture in September 2021 leading to his ultimate extradition.