Argentina accuses Pablo Escobar's family of money laundering

Argentinian authorities accuse Escobar's wife and son Victoria Henao and Juan Pablo Escobar Henao of linked to a criminal organisation that uses real estate and other businesses to clear millions of dollars.

The South American country judiciary closed an investigation into money laundering claims in 2000, citing insufficient evidence, reports “Deutsche Welle”, Periscopi broadcast.

Security Minister Patricia Bdirch said the government is now hoping to reopen the investigation following a request by the Financial Information Unit (UIF), which said the family was asking about their alleged connections to Colombian drug dealer Jose Peeddrahija.

Former Colombian football player Maurizio Serna is part of this investigation.

Mariano Federic, head of The UIF, also claimed that former football player Serna “facilitated the entry of the Peederhit funds in Argentina through real operation, even in Colombia”.

The United States has been seeking to extradite Peederhita since his arrest in Colombia last month. The U.S. Department of Justice says he corrupted a federal agent with money and prostitution in an attempt to remove his name from a cocaine smuggling case.

Authorities in Colombia, Argentina and the US say it has cleared about $15m ($12.8m) in drug money through cafe “Los Angelitos” in Buenos Aires and a company called “Ro Tango”.

Victoria Henao and her two children with Pablo Escobar lived in exile under new identities in Argentina since the mid-1990s, after the drug lord was shot to death by police.

Cerna played for the Colombian national football team between 1993 and 2001, and also helped Boca Juniors win Copa Libertadores in South America in 2000 and 2001./Periscopi/