BOGOTA, April 13 (UPI) -- An alleged drug trafficker said Colombia's intelligence agency allowed him to leave the country the day before he was extradited to the United States.
Juan Carlos El Tuso Sierra told a U.S. court he received preferential treatment from the Administrative Department of Security traveling to Panama from Medellin the day before his extradition, El Espectador reported.
Sierra told officials he traveled using only his identification, bank account and a health card and encountered no problems going through customs. He said he paid lawmakers to meet with former Peace Commissioner Luis Carlos Retraspo to disguise himself as a paramilitary.
Colombia's Supreme Court ordered an investigation involving some 60 police officers, politicians and prosecutors after Sierra's testimony.
Sierra's accusations against the security administration are not the first to implicate state officials. The agency was allegedly involved in a drug trafficking scandal in 2009 by paramilitary organization United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia.
A key witness in the case said President Alvaro Uribe was aware of the cooperation. The case is still being investigated.
Sierra is currently detained in a federal prison in Warsaw, Va.
