US judge rejects plea for alleged Colombian drug kingpin

MIAMI – A Miami federal judge has rejected a plea deal for an alleged Colombian drug kingpin because the proposed prison sentence was too lenient.

Instead, 46-year-old Henry De Jesus Lopez Londono, also known as “Mi Sangre” (My Blood), may stand trial on cocaine trafficking charges that carry a potential life prison sentence.

The Miami Herald reports Senior U.S. District Judge Donald Graham said at a hearing Tuesday he could not accept the proposed guilty plea deal that included 17 years behind bars.

Graham said the allegations against Lopez Londono are too serious, including importation of huge amounts of cocaine into the U.S. and links to drug-related killings.

Prosecutors and defence lawyers will try to negotiate a new plea agreement.

Lopez Londono was extradited to Miami last year after his arrest in Argentina.