U.S. Attorney Damian Williams | U.S. Department of Justice
Maximiliano Davila-Perez, former head of Bolivia's anti-narcotics agency, has been extradited to the United States to face charges related to cocaine importation and firearms. Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that Davila-Perez arrived in the U.S. this morning and will appear before Judge Robyn F. Tarnofsky in New York later today. His case is assigned to Judge Denise L. Cote.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams stated, "As alleged, Maximiliano Davila-Perez abused his position as the head of Bolivia’s anti-narcotics law enforcement agency to instead aid the very narcotics traffickers he was entrusted to investigate and arrest." He further emphasized that this conduct exemplifies global efforts against drug-related corruption.
Anne Milgram, DEA Administrator, commented on Davila-Perez's actions: “Maximiliano Davila-Perez was supposed to fight the drug trade, but instead he fueled it." She highlighted that his extradition sends a message that no corrupt official is beyond reach.
Davila-Perez led Bolivia’s anti-narcotics agency until November 2019. Allegations suggest he exploited his role for cocaine trafficking by using law enforcement officers as security for shipments and collaborating with suppliers operating in Bolivia.
In July 2019, while still director of FELCN (Bolivia's chief anti-narcotics agency), recordings captured discussions about sending over a ton of cocaine from Bolivia to the U.S., with plans involving specific airfields under his control.
Despite being demoted in November 2019, Davila-Perez allegedly continued plotting cocaine imports into the U.S., promising armed protection for these shipments and discussing competition within New York's drug market.
Davila-Perez faces charges including conspiring to import cocaine into the U.S., carrying a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years up to life imprisonment; and conspiring to use machineguns during this conspiracy, which also carries a maximum life sentence.
Williams praised DEA divisions and other agencies involved in securing Davila-Perez’s extradition. The prosecution is managed by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sam Adelsberg, Matthew J.C. Hellman, and David J. Robles from the National Security and International Narcotics Unit.
Charges remain allegations unless proven otherwise in court proceedings.
