US to dismiss cocaine charges against Colombian rebel

WASHINGTON (AP) —

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In 2005, Palmera became the first member of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, extradited to face trial in the U.S. Palmera, who is also known by his nom de guerre, Simon Trinidad, was led into federal court flanked by marshals wearing body armor and carrying assault rifles ...

His first trial on terrorism and hostage-taking charges ended with a hung jury. A second jury convicted him of conspiracy but deadlocked on the other charges, which were ultimately dismissed.

Similarly, the first drug trial led to a hung jury. Then, with Palmera already in prison for 60 years on the hostage-taking conspiracy charge, the Justice Department opted to try the cocaine case again, seeking a symbolic victory for the U.S. and its drug war ally, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe ...

A month later, jurors again were deadlocked. On Tuesday, prosecutors filed a short court document asking that the case be thrown out "in the interests of justice." Such requests are routinely granted ...