Handout/Reuters
Former Venezuelan Vice President Tareck El Aissami was charged with violating the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act and U.S. Treasury Department sanctions in New York federal court, The Associated Press reports. U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman reportedly said El Aissami violated sanctions by hiring U.S. private jet providers as part of the scheme, and Angel Melendez—leader of Homeland Security Investigations in New York—said El Aissami used his position to partake in international drug trafficking. The charges, unsealed on Friday, also target Venezuelan businessman Samark Jose Lopez Bello with violating sanctions and the Kingpin Act. “Both El Aissami and Lopez Bello will have to think twice before leaving Venezuela, as they are wanted to face justice here in New York,” said Melendez. El Aissami, who is currently the government's minister of industry and national production, is reportedly the most senior Venezuelan official to be charged by the U.S. If convicted, El Aissami and Lopez Bello could face up to 150 years in prison.