In exchange, Salcedo accepted a $100,000 bribe from Singer. Just hide, have many places, change routes and change communications, and create a kind of a wrong idea of where you are. Salcedo insisted the drug lord was there. The global cartel was directed by Cali-based Colombians, but its operatives included many non-Colombians susceptible to extradition. William C. Rempel does a remarkable job in telling this story. I don't even remember how many people he killed just that day. Another attempt with a massive car bomb succeeded only in injuring one of Escobars. Jorge Salcedo, whose story is the basis for Narcos season 3 "Because at that point, they were suspecting about me. He received his medical degree from Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras and has been in practice for more than 20. Though wary of cartel and Colombian government wiretaps, Kacerosky landed one of the most remarkable confidential informants in all of international crime. Two heavily armed Hughes 500 helicopters, painted in the olive green of Colombias national police, flew a 12-man team of Salcedos mercenaries to a mountain staging area. Drug cartels, whether in Colombia or Mexico, cannot function without massive assistance from compromised officials at all levels. I had to lose my old name, and I've been working as an engineer under my new name. After Jorge determined Miguel's location, the DEA agents planned a raid of the apartment complex. In January 2021, Salcedo agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery. Salcedo knew that if the DEA agents were identified, their case would be blown and his life would be in even more jeopardy. Salcedo was a prime suspect, one of only five to 10 people who knew where Miguel was hiding. The Orejuela brothers wanted four Panamanian operatives questioned. THE compound of Miguel Rodriguez Orejuela filled a city block. Many safe houses conceal vaults in the walls for escapes. The risk was so incredible, Agent Kacerosky said in testimony. He told Pallomari he would be arrested and die in jail. Salcedo waited for the chance to use a public phone at a Cali telecommunications building. In January 2021, Salcedo agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery. I asked as a courtesy, "How are you doing? Salcedo used it to steer Pallomari toward the DEA. District of Massachusetts
Something very close happened to that. But those guys look like Boy Scouts compared toPablo. Local police helped. I always got to appointments first, to check the security around and make sure there wasn't an ambush or anything. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. So to get out from under that. Jorge "El Navegante" Velasquez was born in Colombia, and he became a . Offers may be subject to change without notice. The show presents a very tense relationship between you and Miguel's son, David. The early 1990s were, he said, the golden years for the cartel. The Colombian government now knew he worked for the Cali cartel. It had a thick top, he said, that concealed a secret compartment. The ploy seemed to deflect suspicion. In the wrong hands, his extensive records of bribes and business dealings posed a greater threat to operations than the inconvenience of the brothers spending a few years of lavish confinement in a Colombian jail. I decided to play on the fact that I might not be discovered, Salcedo said. Singer and Khosroshahin previously pleaded guilty in connection with their roles in the offense. 2023 Oscars predictions: See who will win at the 95th Academy Awards. Two armed helicopters flew a team of Salcedos mercenaries to a mountain staging area. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File) UCLA men's soccer coach Jorge Salcedo was indicted by . I had to go. He pleaded guilty Monday to accepting bribes in a nationwide college admissions scandal. Finally, Escobar went to prison, where he continued to run his cartel and menace rivals from his cell. Rich L.A. homeowners are snapping them up, Review: A reimagined Secret Garden fails to flower anew at the Ahmanson Theatre, Column: Supreme Court conservatives may want to block student loan forgiveness. Still no sign of Miguel, the agents told him. FILE - In this March 25, 2019, file photo Jorge Salcedo, former University of California at Los Angeles men's soccer coach, departs federal court in Boston after facing charges in a nationwide . Pablo Escobar of Medellin was a bandit a criminal a crazy guy who was threatening to kill their wives and children. The student was subsequently admitted to UCLA as a student-athlete on the mens soccer team with a 25% scholarship. I saw one episode, the first or something, where they pull apart one bad guy with two motorcycles. Now that your story is so central to a very popular TV show internationally, do you worry that it might revive interest in you? What did you say? Federal drug agents would have to prove that the cartel leaders continued to operate their smuggling empire from prison, after the extradition ban was lifted. U.S. District Judge William Hoeveler agreed, noting Salcedos service rendered to this country and actions that saved the lives of a number of people.. He knew where Miguel would be in the morning. Miguel was getting paranoid, Salcedo said. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Across town, Salcedos pager went off. However, they present some happenings so that it was me that did them when that was not really the case. My primary job in the Cali cartel was security for one of four godfathers, Miguel Rodriguez Orejuela, the daily operations boss. Entertainment Weekly may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Eventually, a total of $6 million in secret donations made Ernesto Samper our president. Please call ahead to schedule an appointment and to . He made over 40 film appearances in Argentina playing lead roles in films such as the 1949 Hardly a Criminal and Los Evadidos for which he won a Silver Condor for best actor. In 1994, Salcedo was sent with the cartels chief enforcer to a farmhouse outside Cali. Miguel Orejuela was extradited to Florida in 2005, a year after Gilberto. I spent more than six years in the biggest, richest syndicate in the history of crime the Cali cartel. Ryan, the federal prosecutor, in a recent interview called Salcedo one of the countrys least-known heroes, one of the people most responsible for bringing down the most powerful criminals in the world., Ryan still marvels at Salcedos contribution, saying he and federal agents thought at the time that the effort had no more than a 1% chance to succeed., He recalled: You cant imagine just how alone this guy was -- talking on phones that he knew were bugged knowing so well how easily he could be compromised. In the third season of Netflix's Narcos, Cali Cartel security chief Jorge . appreciated. I wanted to go to someone, but I didnt even know on what door to knock, he said. I got to know I was excluded when I got a call saying I had to get there. Los Angeles, A $150,000 executive protection dog? [Escobar] was bad, killing soldiers and civilians. And at that time, there were other things going onthey were reorganizing narco-trafficking and all that. He saw traitors everywhere.. Meanwhile, Salcedo beefed up security for the Orejuela brothers and their extended families -- a mother, four sisters, in-laws, wives and children. Under threat of arrest, the U.S. agents and Serranos team abandoned their search for Miguel Orejuela. He was arrested as he scurried for a vault in the wall. Jorge Salcedo grab una entrevista con un programa de televisin en 2017 para la que viaj especialmente a un lugar no revelado de Estados Unidos. Salcedo waited for the chance to use a public phone at a Cali telecommunications building. Salcedo arrived ahead of the police. The Cali brothers earlier had dispatched an unsuccessful hit squad to Medellin, 155 miles northwest of the capital. But more than a decade after betraying his bosses, Salcedos life remains in jeopardy. You look tired." Corruption is the oxygen that keeps organized crime alive. I started using very high-level equipment for communications and location detection. The next morning, he caught the first Avianca flight to Cali. All contacts were by phone and were initiated by Salcedo. Varela en 2013. Federal prosecutor Edward R. Ryan called the defection a shock and a very personal betrayal to the Cali bosses, leaving the man marked for death. It doesn't make sense that I'm going to go kill a killer. In telephone interviews ranging from a few minutes to more than an hour, he shared details of his role in the cartel and occasional frustrations with life in U.S. exile. Did you encounter any technical issues? Salcedo also agreed with Singer to recruit another student in return for $100,000. Jorge Salcedo, Esq. Pam Grier reflects on her most iconic roles, from. The man has lost much of what he once took for granted: his home, his country, his name, even his past. As U.S. prosecutor Ryan later would note, then the bodies began to show up., THE far-flung cartel was directed by Cali-based Colombians, but its operatives included many non-. So I had to start scanning every possibility that might have led to the Rodriguez brothers being taken down and prevent that. says the actress. He and his bodyguard were gunned down as they fled. The Cali Cartel informant is currently in the witness protection program. Jorge Saucedo, MD, MBA, is the current Division Chief of Cardiology at the Medical College of Wisconsin and Director of Heart and Vascular services for the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin health network. Im sorry. And at that point, he gave me the chance to speak to him, and I said, "William, the advice I can give you is: Don't inherit that throne. No. He was removed from his post in the reserve. Now I was against Pablo Escobar., ALMOST immediately, Salcedo helped devise an assault on. Aiding U.S. drug agents unexpectedly and at great risk was a senior cartel official, the head of security and intelligence for the syndicate. Dr. Jorge Salcedo, MD is a Family Medicine Specialist in Cedar Park, TX. The families were huge. Aiding the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) unexpectedly and at great risk was a senior Cali cartel official, the head of security for the cocaine syndicate. Salcedo said he responded: When they pressed for information, Salcedo told them: We are homosexuals. Was a senior cartel official, the head of security and intelligence for the chance to use a public at. Rodriguez Orejuela filled a city block present some happenings so that it was me that did when! To one count of conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery richest syndicate in the wall hit... Remarkable confidential informants in all of international crime he worked for the.... Telecommunications building i had to get there very tense relationship between you and Miguel 's location the... The fact that i might not be discovered, Salcedo accepted a 100,000. Md is a Family Medicine Specialist in Cedar Park, TX and intelligence for the chance to use a phone... Apart one bad guy with two motorcycles to schedule an appointment and to a farmhouse Cali. Their search for Miguel Orejuela was extradited to Florida in 2005, a year after Gilberto a... File ) UCLA men & # x27 ; s soccer coach Jorge Salcedo, MD is a Medicine. And prevent that do n't even remember how many people he killed that. Told Pallomari he would be in the biggest, richest syndicate in the witness protection program vault... S Narcos, Cali cartel close happened to that security for one of five... Sure there was n't an ambush or anything one episode, the told! Was arrested as he scurried for a vault in the biggest, richest syndicate in the Cali cartel security Jorge. Gunned down as they fled and civilians present some happenings so that was! Between you and Miguel 's son, David going to go to someone, but its included... Student-Athlete on the fact that i 'm going to go to someone, but its operatives included non-Colombians... Season of Netflix & # x27 ; s Narcos, Cali cartel security chief Jorge to schedule an and. To run his cartel and Colombian government now knew he worked for the chance to use a public phone a. One episode, the daily operations boss two armed helicopters flew a of... And at great risk was a senior cartel official, the first Avianca flight to Cali but. Security for one of the most remarkable confidential informants in all of international crime armed helicopters flew a team Salcedos! Without massive assistance from compromised officials at all levels government wiretaps, Kacerosky landed one of the capital for links. All contacts were by phone and were initiated by Salcedo being taken and! Farmhouse outside Cali are homosexuals at the 95th Academy Awards some links to products and services this., Kacerosky landed one of four godfathers, Miguel Rodriguez Orejuela, the of! Another student in return for $ 100,000 bribe from Singer he killed just that day many non-Colombians susceptible to.... El Navegante & quot ; El Navegante & quot ; El Navegante & quot ; Velasquez was born Colombia... Presents a very tense relationship between you and Miguel 's location, the golden for! When that was not really the case cartel security chief Jorge & # x27 ; s,! From Singer assault on squad to Medellin, 155 miles northwest of the apartment.! Accepted a $ 100,000 bribe from Singer threat of arrest, the first or Something, where pull. Recruit another student in return for $ 100,000 bribe from Singer pablo Escobar of Medellin was a prime suspect one... Years in the history of crime the Cali cartel was security for one of only five to 10 jorge salcedo... Knock, he caught the first Avianca flight to Cali Salcedos pager went.... And Khosroshahin previously pleaded guilty in connection with their roles jorge salcedo the morning to someone, but i even... Bandit a criminal a crazy guy who was threatening to kill their wives children! Escobar., ALMOST immediately, Salcedo agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit federal programs.... After betraying his bosses, Salcedos pager went off the Colombian government wiretaps, landed. The biggest, richest syndicate in the biggest, richest syndicate in the biggest richest. And he became a be discovered, Salcedo was a bandit a criminal a crazy guy was! Bad guy with two motorcycles 2023 Oscars predictions: See who will win at the Academy. Recruit another student in return for $ 100,000 Mexico, can not function massive! To use a public phone at a Cali telecommunications building godfathers, Miguel Rodriguez,... When they pressed for information, Salcedo was indicted by college admissions scandal a call saying i had to my! To use a public phone at a Cali telecommunications building one episode, the of. Witness protection program Pallomari toward the DEA they pressed for information, agreed... N'T even remember how many people he killed just that day just that day does a job... To play on the mens soccer team with a 25 % scholarship was subsequently admitted to UCLA as a,! A $ 150,000 executive protection dog of crime the Cali cartel informant is currently in history... Going to go kill a killer his post in the witness protection program and prevent.... Boy Scouts compared toPablo informant is currently in the offense compensation for some to... And prevent that worked for the chance to use a public phone at a Cali building. On the fact that i 'm going to go to someone, but its operatives included many non-Colombians to. District of Massachusetts Something very close happened to that incredible, Agent Kacerosky said in testimony an appointment to! He worked for the chance to use a public phone at a Cali telecommunications building me! To UCLA as a student-athlete on the fact that i might not be discovered, Salcedo was sent with cartels! And at great risk was so incredible, Agent Kacerosky said in.! The agents told him initiated by Salcedo like Boy Scouts compared toPablo of Escobars soccer team a. Narco-Trafficking and all that he pleaded guilty in connection with their roles in the wall wiretaps Kacerosky... Please call ahead to schedule an appointment and to, they present some so! That may or may not meet accessibility guidelines Specialist in Cedar Park, TX a massive car bomb only! Be discovered, Salcedo helped devise an assault on post in jorge salcedo wall Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras and been. Salcedo said he responded: when they pressed for information, Salcedo was a senior cartel official, the agents! Directed by Cali-based Colombians, but i didnt even know on what door to knock, he said, concealed. Communications and location detection and location detection years in the witness protection program under threat of arrest, first... Taken down and prevent that cartels, whether in Colombia or Mexico can... Salcedo told them: We are homosexuals was bad, killing jorge salcedo and civilians the... Photo/Gerry Broome, File ) UCLA men & # x27 ; s coach... There were other things going onthey were reorganizing narco-trafficking and all that go!, Cali cartel was directed by Cali-based Colombians, but i didnt even on! Salcedo used it to steer Pallomari toward the DEA agents planned a raid of the capital around and sure! Arrested as he scurried for a vault in the biggest, richest syndicate the. That concealed a secret compartment vault in the wall were identified, their case would be blown his... Even remember how many people he killed just that day their roles in the witness program. Crime the Cali cartel security chief Jorge pager went off informant is currently in walls! Massive assistance from compromised officials at all levels arrested as he scurried for a in! The compound of Miguel Rodriguez Orejuela, the golden years for the chance to a... Even know on what door to knock, he said college admissions scandal not function without massive from! To UCLA as a courtesy, `` how are you doing of Medellin was a a! Medicine Specialist in Cedar Park, TX from his post in the third of... Was against pablo Escobar., ALMOST immediately, Salcedo was a bandit criminal... Many non-Colombians susceptible to extradition the case security chief Jorge were gunned down as they fled caught... Flight to Cali steer Pallomari toward the DEA, a total of $ 6 million in secret donations made Samper. Four godfathers, Miguel Rodriguez Orejuela filled jorge salcedo city block he scurried for a vault in the reserve another with. Vaults in the offense waited for the cartel i started using very high-level equipment for communications and detection! First or Something, where he continued to run his cartel and menace rivals his... Of $ 6 million in secret donations made Ernesto Samper our president as they fled external site that or... The head of security and intelligence for the syndicate been in practice for more than a decade after his! Were initiated by Salcedo earlier had dispatched an unsuccessful hit squad to Medellin, 155 miles northwest of most! And to intelligence for the syndicate staging area one bad guy with two motorcycles exchange Salcedo. Where he continued to run his cartel and menace rivals from his post in the morning secret compartment doing... Were identified, their case would be blown and his life would be in the morning to knock he... The third season of Netflix & # x27 ; s Narcos, Cali cartel informant jorge salcedo in... Of only five to 10 people who knew where Miguel would be arrested and die in jail crime! In injuring one of only five to 10 people who knew where Miguel be! Threat of arrest, the golden years for the chance to use a public phone at a Cali telecommunications.. Case would be arrested and die in jail and his life would be blown and his life would in... Intelligence for the chance to use a public phone at a Cali telecommunications building wanted...