Oscar Danilo Blandón
Oscar Danilo Blandón | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Nicaraguan |
| Occupation | Drug trafficker |
| Criminal charge(s) | Drug trafficking, arms trafficking |
| Criminal penalty | 24 months |
Oscar Danilo Blandón Reyes (born 1952) was a Nicaraguan born drug trafficker who is best known as one of the main subjects of the 1996 newspaper series "Dark Alliance" by reporter Gary Webb.
Blandón was originally a director of agricultural markets in Nicaragua during the government of Anastasio Somoza. When the Somoza regime was overthrown in 1979, Blandón fled to the United States,[1] and then raised money for the Nicaraguan Democratic Force (FDN), a Contra group. As part of his fundraising activities Blandón began selling cocaine. Eventually Blandón became a major cocaine trafficker in the Los Angeles area.[2]
In May 1992, Blandón was arrested in San Diego on the federal charge of "conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute."[3] In prison awaiting trial, Blandón began cooperating with the DEA in a number of drug cases. In a plea agreement, Blandón agreed to continue cooperating with the government in exchange for a substantial sentence reduction. Eventually Blandón was sentenced to 48 months.[3] In order to facilitate Blandón's work as an informant, the government further requested a reduction in Blandón's sentence to time served. Following his imprisonment, Blandón worked for the DEA as a confidential informant. He worked for the DEA to take down drug kingpin Rick Ross in a sting operation, for which Ross was convicted in 1997.[4]
Blandón was not a US Citizen/National, and is the only known foreigner in US history not to be deported following conviction on drug trafficking charges. The INS granted Blandón a green card, despite the criminal convictions, to allow him to work for the DEA.
References
- ^ Webb 1999, p. 38.
- ^ Bromwich, Michael R. "CIA-Contra-Crack Cocaine Controversy: Executive Summary Part II, Oscar Danilo Blandon". Retrieved 2016-11-20.
- ^ a b Bromwich, Michael R. "CIA-Contra-Crack Cocaine Controversy: Chapter 2: Oscar Danilo Blandon, Part K: Allegation that Blandon received special treatment in the 1992 San Diego prosecution". Retrieved 2016-11-20.
- ^ Ross, Rick; Scott, Cathy (2014). Freeway Rick Ross: The Untold Autobiography. Freeway Studios. ISBN 9781499651539.
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Further reading
- USDOJ/OIG Special Report THE CIA-CONTRA-CRACK COCAINE CONTROVERSY: A REVIEW OF THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT’S INVESTIGATIONS AND PROSECUTIONS (December, 1997) United States Department of Justice—The Executive Summary has a section about Oscar Danilo Blandon and Chapter II is about Oscar Danilo Blandon
- Library of The Dark Alliance at the Wayback Machine (archived April 9, 1997) by Gary Webb, San Jose Mercury News. This link includes primary sources about Oscar Danilo Blandón.
External links
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on January 15, 2006. Retrieved June 1, 2005.
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{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) (Archive) - Webb, Gary (1998). Dark Alliance. Seven Stories Press. ISBN 9781888363937.
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