A U.S. jury on Friday convicted former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández on charges related to cocaine and arms trafficking, according to a Department of Justice (DOJ) press release.

Hernández and his co-conspirators funneled more than 400 tons of cocaine into the United States during his presidency alone in exchange for millions of dollars in drug money from cartels, the Justice Department said. Said. This illegal scheme ran from 2004 to 2022. (Related: Honduran national accused of running fentanyl trafficking ring in major U.S. cities)

“Juan Orlando Hernández abused his position as President of Honduras to run the country as a narco-state where violent drug traffickers were allowed to operate with virtual impunity, and the people of Honduras and the United States He was forced to suffer the consequences,” the lawyer said. Gen. Merrick Garland said, according to a statement from the Department of Justice.

Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández convicted in Manhattan federal court of conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States and related firearms offenses

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— U.S. Department of Justice National Security Division (@DOJNatSec) March 8, 2024

Mr Hernández was Honduras' head of state from 2014 to 2022 and was running as the BBC's law and order candidate. report. The jury convicted the former leader after two days of deliberations.

According to the Justice Department, Mr. Hernández used the ill-gotten gains to further his political career in Honduras.

Hernández claimed the charges were politically motivated and that he was a “victim of revenge and intrigue by organized crime and political opponents,” the BBC reported.

In a press release, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Director Ann Milgram said Hernández worked “in concert” with “leaders of the Sinaloa cartel” in the scheme.

“I sincerely hope that this conviction sends a message to all corrupt politicians who are considering a similar path and trying to make a different choice. We will stop at nothing to investigate and prosecute those responsible for sending poison into this community,” added Damian Williams, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

The Justice Department said Hernandez could be sentenced to life in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 26th.