Efraín Antonio Campo Flores
Venezuelan drug trafficker and nephew of former President Nicolás Maduro
Efraín Antonio Campo Flores | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nationality |  Venezuela |
| Criminal charge(s) | Importation of and intent to distribute controlled substances, including cocaine[1] |
| Criminal penalty | 18 years imprisonment[2] |
| Criminal status | Free |
| Spouse | Jessair Rodriguez |
Efraín Antonio Campo Flores is the nephew of Cilia Flores, the wife of Nicolás Maduro. He was involved in the Narcosobrinos incident, an alleged plot to send hundreds of kilograms of narcotics from Venezuela to the United States.[3] On 14 December 2017 he was sentenced to 18 years in prison.[2] He was freed on 1 October 2022.
Early life and education
Campo spent his childhood living with his grandmother and over a dozen other family members until he was seven years old when a mudslide destroyed his home and he was adopted by his aunt Cilia Flores, an attorney at that time. Many of Campo's family members were and have continued to hold official positions in the Bolivarian Government of Venezuela.[4]
In August 2015, two months prior to his arrest, Campo earned a law degree in Venezuela and had been living in an apartment with his then pregnant wife.[4]
Narcosobrinos incident
On 10 November 2015, Campo and his cousin Francisco Flores de Freitas, were arrested by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration in Port-au-Prince, Haiti after attempting to transport 800 kilograms of cocaine into the United States.[5][3] In recorded conversations with informants, Campo described himself as being "the one in charge" and promised that no law enforcement in Venezuela would hinder drug shipments as planes would "depart ... as if ... some from our family were on the plane".[3]
A year later on 18 November 2016, the First Lady's two nephews were found guilty of their charges, with the potential cash from drug trafficking allegedly being destined to "help their family stay in power".[6] The two were later sentenced to 18 years in prison.[2]
Personal life
Campo is married to Jessair Rodriguez, with the couple having two children, both boys. His youngest son was born while Campo was incarcerated.[4]
See also
- Cartel of the Suns
- Crime in Venezuela
- Illegal drug trade in Venezuela
References
- ^ "United States of America v. Efrain Antonio Campo Flores and Franqui Francisco Flores de Freitas". United States Department of Justice. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
- ^ a b c "Nephews of Venezuela's first lady sentenced to prison for cocaine plot". The Guardian. 14 December 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
- ^ a b c Bharara, Preet (22 July 2016). United States of America v. Efraín Antonio Campo Flores, and Franqui Francisco Flores de Freitas, S2 15 Cr. 765 (PAC). New York, New York: United States District Court Southern District of New York. pp. 1–78.
- ^ a b c "Plea for Leniency Efrain Campo Flores | Crime & Justice | Crimes". Scribd. Boies Schiller Flexner. 1 December 2017. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
- ^ Guerrero, Kay; Dominguez, Claudia (12 November 2015). "U.S. agents arrest members of Venezuelan President's family in Haiti". CNN.
- ^ Raymond, Nate (19 November 2016). "Venezuelan first lady's nephews convicted in U.S. drug trial". Reuters. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
