November 22, 1999
Web posted at: 9:54 p.m. EST (0254 GMT)

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NEW YORK (CNN) -- For the first time in nearly a decade, Colombia has extradited an accused drug trafficker to the United States, prompting fears of retribution by drug lords.

Jaime Orlando Lara, 30, pleaded not guilty in federal court Monday to charges that he led a conspiracy to smuggle 30 pounds of heroin into the United States. The court ordered that Lara be held without bond.

VIDEO CNN's Susan Candiotti looks at the change in Colombia extradition policy Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K     MESSAGE BOARD Unrest in Columbia War on drugs

The Colombian media has dubbed Lara "The King of Heroin."

U.S. officials praised Bogota for its first drug-related extradition since 1990.

"We certainly hope that this courage and commitment that we've seen will be the harbinger of a greater ability for the United States and Colombia to work together in this battle," said State Department spokesman James Rubin.

Bombing possibly linked to extradition

Lara's court appearance carried special significance because it came just 10 days after a deadly terrorist bomb exploded in Bogota. Many suspected the bombing was a warning against Lara's impending extradition.

Officials suspect that local drug lords may been responsible for last week's bombing that killed eight people in a Bogota shopping district

Colombian President Andres Pastrana defiantly signed Lara's extradition papers just hours after the November 11 explosion killed eight bystanders in an upscale shopping district.

Although no one has claimed responsibility for the bomb, officials suspect local drug lords.

More bombings feared

"I wouldn't be surprised if they tried to set off some more bombs, kill some more people to try to intimidate the Colombian people," said Myles Frechette, a former U.S. ambassador to Colombia.

In 1991, a wave of bombings and assassinations prompted Colombia to ban extradition.

Drug lords apparently had reacted violently because they feared the tougher punishments usually doled out by U.S. judges. But Pastrana has insisted he will not be intimidated.

In addition to Lara, more than 30 other Colombians have been arrested on drug charges for possible extradition to the United States. They include Fabio Ochoa, the former head of the notorious Medellin drug cartel.

Correspondent Susan Candiotti and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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