The Colombian authorities say the cartel sent hundreds of tons of cocaine to the United States between 1990 and 2004.

BBC: Colombian drug baron's sister shot dead by two hit men

But when Carlos Alberto Renteria, the man accused of heading the Colombian Norte del Valle drug cartel was extradited, he remained silent with his head bowed, denying the cameras the chance to take images of his face.

BBC: Venezuela hands over alleged Colombian drug lord to US

"Shorty is the Pablo Escobar of Mexico, " said security consultant Scott Stewart, invoking the memory of the colorful Medellin cartel leader who also landed on the Forbes list and thumbed his nose at Colombian authorities until he died in a shower of police bullets in December 1993.

CNN: Stakes rise as drug war threatens to cross border