Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro Detained at Brooklyn Jail Known for High-Profile Inmates
NEW YORK, N.Y. — Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is now detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, the same federal facility that has housed notable figures such as music mogul Diddy, socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, and financier Sam Bankman-Fried. Maduro’s incarceration follows a dramatic U.S. military operation in Venezuela that resulted in his capture early last week.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Maduro was apprehended in a heavily fortified residence described as more of a “fortress” than a typical home. The operation, conducted by U.S. forces, culminated in Maduro’s transfer to the Brooklyn facility, where he will face charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and possession and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices. The indictment also implicates his wife and son.
The MDC Brooklyn is well known for its capacity to securely house high-profile defendants awaiting trial. Former assistant director at the Federal Bureau of Prisons Judi Garrett told Fox News Digital that Maduro is expected to be placed initially in a special housing unit before potentially being moved to one of the facility’s specialized units designed for high-profile inmates. “MDC Brooklyn has substantial experience with high-profile defendants,” Garrett noted.
Maduro will be sharing the facility with Luigi Mangione, who is currently awaiting trial for the alleged assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The detention center has previously held other prominent individuals including Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted on charges related to sex trafficking, and Sam Bankman-Fried, the disgraced cryptocurrency executive.
President Donald Trump, who was in office when the operation was executed, provided details about the timing and nature of the raid during an interview on “Fox & Friends Weekend.” Trump described the residence as “very highly-guarded,” with steel doors and a “safety space” reinforced with solid steel. He emphasized the careful planning and timing, noting that the operation was delayed several days to ensure optimal conditions before giving the order to proceed.
The charges against Maduro stem from allegations that he orchestrated a narco-terrorism conspiracy involving the trafficking of cocaine into the United States, as well as illegal possession of military-grade weapons. These accusations have been formally presented in a U.S. federal indictment, which also names members of his family.
This development marks a significant moment in U.S.-Venezuelan relations and underscores the U.S. government’s intensified focus on combating international narcotics trafficking and terrorism. The operation and subsequent detention have drawn attention from lawmakers and officials, with some praising the capture as a major victory in the fight against drug trafficking networks.
Further details about Maduro’s detention and legal proceedings will be closely monitored as the case progresses through the federal court system. The MDC Brooklyn, operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, remains a critical facility for securely housing defendants involved in high-stakes criminal cases.
For more information on the U.S. government’s narcotics enforcement efforts, visit the Drug Enforcement Administration. The operation was reportedly supported by intelligence gathered from the Central Intelligence Agency, highlighting interagency cooperation in this high-profile capture. Updates on the ongoing legal proceedings can be tracked through the U.S. Department of Justice website.
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