Venezuela's ex-spymaster to face drug trafficking charges in US court

FILE PHOTO: Former Venezuelan intelligence chief Hugo Carvajal stands during his extradition hearing to U.S. at the High Court in Madrid, Spain, September 12, 2019. . Emilio Naranjo/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

NEW YORK - A former director of Venezuelan military intelligence is due to appear in U.S. court on Thursday to face drug trafficking charges, following his extradition from Spain.

Federal prosecutors in Manhattan say Hugo Carvajal - who was late President Hugo Chavez's eyes and ears within the South American country's military for more than a decade - in 2006 coordinated the shipment of 5,600 kg (1,235 pounds) of cocaine to Mexico from Venezuela.