Honduras to Extradite Suspected MS-13 Leader

News

A Honduran court approved the extradition of an MS-13 leader to the United States, where he could face a life sentence if convicted on racketeering, murders and other violent crimes in the Washington metropolitan area.

Related Articles

Calls for Anti-Corruption in Ukraine’s Post-War Rebuild
As Ukraine looks toward recovery from the ongoing conflict, international partners and reform advocates call for embedding anti-corruption measures in post-war restoration efforts.
Mining Crimes Pose a Challenge for Law Enforcement, Experts Say
A recent report found that only one in three of environmental crime cases in the Amazon produced a parallel financial crime investigation from authorities.
Kyrgyz Elite Targeted as Japarov Allies Gain Key Assets
After the killing of crime boss Kamchy Kolbaev, Kyrgyz authorities have intensified their crackdown on prominent business figures suspected of financing organized crime. But is it justice—or something else?
Calls for Anti-Corruption in Ukraine’s Post-War Rebuild
As Ukraine looks toward recovery from the ongoing conflict, international partners and reform advocates call for embedding anti-corruption measures in post-war restoration efforts.
Mining Crimes Pose a Challenge for Law Enforcement, Experts Say
A recent report found that only one in three of environmental crime cases in the Amazon produced a parallel financial crime investigation from authorities.
Kyrgyz Elite Targeted as Japarov Allies Gain Key Assets
After the killing of crime boss Kamchy Kolbaev, Kyrgyz authorities have intensified their crackdown on prominent business figures suspected of financing organized crime. But is it justice—or something else?

Reported by

Vinicius Madureira
May 23rd, 2022
Gangs Police Operation Sports
El Salvador, Honduras, United States

Tokiro Rodas Ramírez, alias “Perverso,” and four other Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) international leaders had led operations of Washington-based “clicas,” or cliques, from prisons in El Salvador, according to a press release from the Department of Justice. Cliques are gang units tied to a particular territory.

“These crimes were ordered and carried out by MS-13 gang members, some of whom gave their commands from prisons in El Salvador,” Assistant Attorney General Breuer said.

In mid-2008, Ramírez and other gang members are believed to have spotted a member of a rival gang riding a bicycle around their apartment complex in the outskirts of the Washington metropolitan area. The clique leader chased the alleged adversary, ambushed him around a corner of the building and shot the man dead.

“MS-13 gang leaders sought to sow violence in our community from within the walls of El Salvadoran jail cells,” U.S. Attorney Ronald Machen said.

Ramírez was arrested last March in Honduras when he was about to score what could be his last goal in a pickup soccer game. Police entered the field, stopped the game and handcuffed him. Shortly after the arrest, authorities revealed he was an active member of the MS-13 gang. His body is covered with gang tattoos.

Ramírez’s lawyer has three days to appeal the extradition. In the meantime the suspect will remain detained near the capital city, Tegucigalpa, waiting to be transferred to the U.S.

This week the Honduran Supreme Court said there are 32 pending extradition requests for drug trafficking. Further extraditions to the U.S. are likely to come.

Related Reporting