SAN DIEGO – Victor Hugo Anez Vaca Diez, aka Chi Chi, alleged head of a major transnational criminal organization, was charged in federal court yesterday following his extradition to the United States from Argentina.
On August 18, 2017, a federal grand jury sitting in the Southern District of California returned a superseding indictment charging Anez Vaca with conspiracy to distribute cocaine with intent to have that cocaine imported into the United States, conspiracy to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.
Anez Vaca, a Bolivian citizen, was arrested at the airport of Buenos Aires, Argentina in January 2022, at the request of the United States, on a Red Notice issued by the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL). Since her arrest, Anez Vaca has been in custody awaiting extradition to the United States. He was brought by the United States Marshals Service from Buenos Aires to San Diego on October 3, 2022, and charged the next day before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel E. Butcher.
“The DEA continues to work with our law enforcement partners to stem the flow of illegal drugs coming into the United States,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Shelly Howe. “The extradition of Anez Vaca is evidence that by working together, we can make our communities safer and bring high-level international traffickers to justice in the United States.”
“Today is a reminder that international drug traffickers who profit from shipping narcotics into our community are not immune from prosecution,” said US Attorney Randy Grossman. “We will work with our international partners to bring them to justice wherever they travel.”
“The extradition of Anez Vaca Diez to the United States is a perfect example of the wide-ranging Homeland Security Investigations and successful partnerships fostered with our international colleagues,” said Chad Plantz, Special Agent in Charge for HSI San Diego. “This extradition should send a clear message to those who believe they can evade law enforcement. We will find you and work to bring you to the United States to face justice.”
This case is also the result of ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a collaboration that brings together the combined expertise and unique capabilities of federal, state and local agencies. The main mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, dismantle and prosecute high-level members of drug-trafficking, arms-trafficking and money-laundering organizations and enterprises.
Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Attorney’s Office
