Colombia drug extradition

Sonia has taken what will most likely be a one-way trip to the US.

The senior FARC commander is accused by the US of running a drugs trafficking network that earned the guerrillas tens of millions of dollars.

Sonia was captured in February last year, in a heli-borne raid by elite Colombian troops.

Along with her were seized documents and a laptop computer that provided much of the evidence that will be used against her in court.

Sonia's extradition is a heavy blow to the FARC.

Not only have their lost one of their top female commanders, but they fear that under pressure from US authorities and facing a sentence of more than 20 years in prison she may reveal crucial information about their finance system.

Vocabulary:

running a drugs trafficking network: organizing a widespread group of people who are all trading in drugs.

guerrillas: similar to rebels, but guerrillas often take part in actual fighting with government forces.

a heli-borne raid: a raid which was done in helicopters. 'Heli-' is a shortening of the word helicopter and 'borne' means carried by.

seized: taken to be used as evidence of a crime

a heavy blow: a terrible or difficult thing to happen

crucial: very important, vita

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